INTUG welcomes the practice of consultation on the annual workplan of the European Regulators Group (ERG). We note that the present workplan is significantly streamlined from 2004 and appreciate the efforts to focus on critical and pressing issues.

We note that several member states have yet to transpose the directives. One consequence of this is that market analyses are far behind where they should be. The process of implementation of the new regulatory framework is taking vastly longer than had been anticipated and it is proving much more complex.

We remain of the opinion that the Lisbon objectives cannot be achieved through harmonisation alone, but only by the achievement of a genuinely competitive single market. We note that although the ERG has indicated the importance of harmonisation it has proposed no measurements of that nor does it have any plans to develop metrics. It does not indicate how its work is related to the achievement of the Lisbon goals.

We agree that resolution of issues relating to Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) and more generally Services over Internet Protocol (SOIP) are important and should be given priority. If VoIP and SoIP could be regulated in an entirely consistent manner across the EU it would be a very welcome step towards a single market.

It will come as no surprise that INTUG strongly supports the work of the ERG in addressing the very high prices for international mobile roaming. Any progress that can be made in this market will be very welcome. This abuse of market power has gone on for too long.