Large EU telcos call for more regulation on Big Tech

 An association representing the largest European telecom operators threw yet another punch in their intensifying fight with US Big Tech over regulation in Europe, in a position paper published on Wednesday (26 June).

The European Telecommunications Network Operators’ Association (ETNO), an industry group comprising the largest telecoms operators in the EU, called for levelling the playing field with US Big Tech, the paper said.

The seemingly innocuous phrase represents a strong position in a heated debate over the future of Europe’s connectivity infrastructure.

Content providers like Netflix and YouTube are consuming an increasing amount of bandwidth. Telecom operators argue that they are shouldering the investment costs of providing telecom infrastructure while Big Tech is reaping most of the profits. On top of that, telecom operators have a heavier regulatory lift, they argue. (...)