But we're not here to protect the large companies

"I expect some resistance on the part of Member States that have large operators." But we're not here to protect the large companies. "As predicted by July 12, the President of the European Commission, José Barroso, the battle of homelessness (or"roaming") has only just begun. The Commission proposed a European regulation to cap the prices of these calls to phones abroad passed last month. But this settlement still must be approved by Parliament and the Council of European Ministers. And it is not won. Ten Member States wrote to the Commission to express their disagreement, such as the France, Great Britain, and the Germany. The divergence is the retail tariffs caps: Brussels wants to impose, while the States want to use as a last resort.

In particular, Paris is very reserved on this point. "Act directly on retail prices leaves little room for innovation and the competition, wrote the French Government to the Commission.". This also limits the possibilities for taking account of the diversity of profiles of customers. Beyond the difficulties of implementation and the perverse effects mentioned, it seems therefore that the regulation of a retail market cannot intervene as a last resort. This is the legal framework of the "telecoms package".

Do not stop the competition

Still, the French Government admits that the international nature of the problem "militates strongly in favour of a Community intervention". He noted that the actions past Brussels "were not followed by effect" and that the current legal framework "seems inadequate." He therefore agreed with the idea of a regulatory action of Brussels, which "is improper step."

But if not go too hard: in Paris, "the regulations must provide a very proportionate response, and be the least intrusive possible to not stop the competition." It must not destabilize the economy of the sector or lead to an over-regulation. "It is also important not to disadvantage the operators of the Union in relation to non-EU competitors".

Bercy is therefore proposing that Brussels is limited to a cap on wholesale prices, which would be accompanied "by a device alert on retail prices, to make sure that the wholesale price declines are well escalations to the consumer on retail prices." "It would be to establish an indicator for monitoring prices of detail and the level of margin by wholesale prices report."

The French authorities believe that mobile phone operators voluntarily resonate with their clients the decline in wholesale prices. "In Europe the most competitive markets", it will be "mechanically". Elsewhere, "the diffusion of these indicators and public pressure resulting should be sufficient to discipline the operators. "To this end, a threat of regulation of retail could also be Assistant to the alarm device, if applicable". For receiving calls only, Paris j. "appropriate" control over retail prices, considered "high in relation to costs".

In fine, Paris j. "adapted" the position of the Group of European regulators (GRE), which is close enough. GRE proposed to cap the wholesale price. For the retail price, GRE does regulate that if, after six months, the operators have not reflected the decline in wholesale prices. The other States that responded to the consultation the Commission public also support the position of the GRE.