Telephone and TV in 98% of European families98% of European Union families have access to the telephone and “an increasing proportion” of households (now 89%) have access to a mobile phone. 62% have both fixed and mobile phones, while only 9% rely on a fixed line alone. These are the findings of a Eurobarometer survey which shows that “Four out of ten Europeans households are buying “bundled” internet, phone and TV services from a single provider”. According to Eurobarometer (that carried out the survey using a sample of 27,000 households) “65% of people limit their mobile phone calls because of cost” and “calls over the Internet are becoming increasingly popular”. The “E-Communications Household” survey highlights further problematic figures. In fact, “one in four respondents considered that their internet download/upload speeds do not match the conditions of the contract they signed”. To this regard, Neelie Kroes, European Commission Vice President for the Digital Agenda, said: “”Consumers are telling us loud and clear that they are worried they are not getting the internet speeds and quality of service they have been promised. National authorities must take appropriate measures to ensure that operators respect new EU rules”, adopted in May 2011, requiring to them to be transparent on connection speeds and service quality. The survey also found that shows that one in three respondents have experienced connection breakdowns, while a majority of EU citizens are concerned about data privacy. The survey also found that “98% of EU households have television”. The most popular means of TV reception is cable (35%) followed by digital terrestrial (30%)”.Recession, the Commission draws a balance of the Euro areaDespite the ongoing economic crisis, the measures adopted by the EU and the so-called “European semester” are delivering positive results. On July 13 the Commission issued the Quarterly Report on the Euro Area, which presents an assessment of the euro-area Member States’ Stability Programmes, and explains the economic adjustment programmes at Community and International level (IMF) devised for Greece, Ireland and Portugal. “In all programme countries” states the Commission “significant steps towards fiscal consolidation have already been taken, and also “structural reforms” are underway. The Irish programme is “well on track”, while the Portuguese programme is said to be “in an early stage”. The situation is “more complex” in Greece, where despite substantial progress “strengthening of the programme” is needed. The periodic assessment report states that the euro area’s recovery from recession “remains on track” but growth is expected to slow down as a result in surging oil prices (due to popular upheavals in North Africa and in the Middle East). According to the Commission report growth “will remain uneven across Member States”.Antiterrorism: control on financial transactionsDeveloping a European system for monitoring financial transaction to prevent terrorism and protect European citizens: it is the objective of the Terrorist Finance Tracking System (Tfts) which is being developed by the EU Commission following a request by the European Parliament and the EU Council. The “communication” presented on July 13 by the Executive aims at promoting an inter-institutional debate. Commissioner for Home Affairs, Cecilia Malmström, said: “Following the conclusion of the EU-US TFTP Agreement” the Communication “describes the different possible options and seeks to trigger a debate about possible future proposals. Given that these future proposals would need to fully respect fundamental rights, and in particular ensure a high level of data protection, I intend to pay close attention to the necessity and proportionality of any possible measures which may be proposed”. A European TFTP, added the Commissioner, “should have two main objectives. First, the system must contribute to limiting the amount of personal data transferred to the US. Second, it should contribute significantly to efforts to cut off terrorists’ access to funding and materials and follow their transactions”. The Commission will now “discuss these options in detail with the Council and the European Parliament before deciding on further steps on the basis of a thorough impact assessment”.
