Telecoms package a victory for consumer rights, a warning for the Government

12.00.00am GMT Thu 5th Nov 2009

North East Lib Dem Euro-MP Fiona Hall, Member of the European Parliament Industry, Research and Energy Committee, has hailed the deal on a controversial section of the EU's new telecommunications package as a safeguard to UK consumers' rights.

She also warned the UK government that it must respect the protection of consumer rights that ministers have now signed up to at a European level.

The European Parliament and the European Council reached a deal in the early hours of this morning after the Council agreed to MEPs' demands that Internet users suspected of uploading or downloading illegal material should face a "prior, fair and impartial procedure" rather than an arbitrary ban on their internet use. The British government is planning its own telecoms bill later this month which was expected to feature a three-strikes-and-you're-banned policy.

Fiona highlighted the importance of the internet to Britons' everyday lives saying:

"For many people, the internet is not just an optional add-on: it is a vital lifeline. Citizens rely on the web to do business, buy goods and maintain social contacts - and some of our most vulnerable people need it most.

"That's why the European Parliament has acted to make sure that those who are accused of breaching the law are treated in a fair and impartial manner, and not simply cut off."

Fiona went on to warn the UK Government over its telecommunications bill, expected later this month:

"The British Government must respect this decision and ensure that its own telecoms bill reflects people's rights to internet access. An arbitrary cut-off policy will isolate citizens, harm business and potentially break the law."