Internet data growth has not pushed up telcos’ network costs: Dutch government

The Dutch government has stepped up its criticism of a push by EU telecoms operators to get Big Tech to help pay for the rollout of 5G and broadband, saying claims that unchecked data growth has pushed up network costs are not backed by facts.

Instead of a one-size-fits-all approach such as a network fee levied on video streaming companies, it would be better to have a toolbox with different instruments targeting specific issues in different EU countries, it said.

The comments were set out in a position paper shared with the European Commission and EU countries ahead of a meeting of EU telecoms ministers in Luxembourg on Friday.