European Union (EU) lawmakers blocked a far-reaching package on Wednesday to reform the 27- nation bloc's telecoms sector over concern of inadequate protection of Internet users' rights.
In a vote in Strasbourg of France, the European Parliament passed all the three parts of the telecoms reform package with overwhelming majorities, but added one amendment saying the right of free access to the Internet can not be infringed without a prior ruling by a judicial body.
The amendment was not included in a political compromise previously reached between the European Parliament and EU governments, which share the legislative power under the EU's co- decision procedure.
Several EU member states had been pushing for the right to restrict customers' access to the Internet if they were found to illegally download copyright material.
The amendment was in particular seen as a protest against a French draft law aimed at cracking down on illegal downloads, under which a user's access to the Internet can be cut off if they were caught more than twice for illegal downloading and had ignored warnings.
Now the reform package may go back to negotiating table between EU governments and lawmakers, or the so-called "conciliation" process, if EU telecoms ministers, who have a final say on the legislation, refuse to accept the change at a meeting on June 12.
"I call on the ministers to assess the situation very carefully, also in the light of the importance of the telecoms reform for the sector and for the recovery of our European economy," said Viviane Reding, the EU Telecoms Commissioner, in a statement.
Usually the conciliation process takes months. Since the European Parliament will have elections in June, it is likely the reform package will be put to another vote in the new parliament later this year.
The telecoms reform package, which has been under discussion for over two years, is meant to improve competition in the EU's single market and increase protection of consumers.
Under the package, a European "super regulator" will be set up to help ensure fair competition and more consistency of regulation on the telecoms markets of 27 member states.
National telecoms regulators will gain greater independence and will be able to oblige telecoms operators to separate communication networks from their service branches, as a last- resort means to overcome competition problems.
European consumers will have the right to change fixed or mobile operator while keeping their old phone number in one working day.
Currently in the EU it takes on average 8.5 days for a mobile number and 7.5 days for a fixed number to be changed, with some customers facing a two to three weeks wait.
The package will also support better management of radio spectrum for unleashing the digital dividend and providing broadband access for all, sever as a boost to 3G mobile services and encourage competition and investment in next generation access networks.
It recognizes the right to Internet access as part of fundamental rights like the freedom of expression and ensures consumer protection against personal data breaches and spam.