The European Parliament supporting your consumer rights in a connected continent

The European Parliament's Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Rights voted on my proposals for a Telecoms Single Market:

I welcome that vote, and I particularly thank the rapporteur Malcolm Harbour for steering it through the Committee so efficiently. I am pleased that the Committee supports the objectives and main substance of the provisions on the open internet and consumer protection -- the two key elements this committee was examining.

This will give you, the consumer, more rights: for example, your mobile or Internet provider will have to provide you with comprehensive and accessible information right from the start, like about call tariffs or broadband speeds. So no more confusing terms and conditions to trawl through! And, if you aren't satisfied, it will be easier to switch provider (including keeping the same phone number). My team and I will of course need to assess in more detail whether the actual amendments provide in all cases enough legal certainty to meet our shared objectives, but this vote is a positive development, and I look forward to working with the Parliament to prepare the vote in the ITRE Committee on 24 February, and then to the plenary vote in April. Then we will be one step further to a true connected, competitive continent: something we all should be celebrating.

[Neelie Kroes is digital agenda commissioner for the European Commission]