COUNTRY FOCUS: NETHERLANDS

Securing telecom infrastructure is a top priority for the Dutch government as it attempts to carry out a fast fixed-connection Internet service by 2023. We hear from State Secretary of Economic Affairs and Climate, Mona Keijzer, who lets us know the importance of safeguarding operations in the telecom sector for Dutch consumers.

Telecom facilities such as telephone services, data centres and the Internet are of vital importance to national security and public order. Without this infrastructure, society is disrupted and the economy suffers.

The Netherlands therefore wants the legal power, going forward, to prohibit or reverse takeovers in this sector. By means of the telecommunications sector( undesirable control) bill( wetsvoorstel voorkoming ongewenste zeggenschap telecommunicatie), Keijzer seeks to secure continuity and reliability of service and to safeguard public interests.

The State Secretary said:“ If Internet, data traffic and telephony do not work well, public life will be disrupted. Consumers and entrepreneurs also suffer economic damage. The Netherlands benefits greatly from an open economy. But the Cabinet wants to prevent unreliable, non-transparent or criminal companies from entering into our national security. That is why I protect this vital sector and enter a duty to report. This is a form of active approval of major acquisitions that has also been agreed in the Coalition Agreement.”

In the bill, the telecom sector does not only include providers of mobile, fixed telephony and Internet. Companies that offer vital facilities such as Internet nodes,

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