ETNO
ETNO is the abbreviation for European Public Telecommunications Network Operators Association. It was established in the year 1992. Based in Brussels, Belgium; today, the ETNO has become one of the most vital policy groups for the European electronic communications network operators. [1]
Members
The Members of ETNO can be classified into two classes: Full Members and Associate Members
Full members: These consist of undertakings that provide electronic communications networks over mobile, fixed or personal communications systems.
Associate Members: These are undertakings that provide electronic communications services who contribute towards the work of ETNO.
All these members are from countries that fall within Europe and provide their services within Europe. [2]
Structure
The ETNO follows a 3-tier structure comprising of the General Assembly as its highest decision making body, the Executive board, which carries out the management functions of the association and the Working Groups and Special Rapporteurs.
General Assembly: The General Assembly consists of the all the ETNO members. It is the highest decision-making body. Its decisions are mostly reached by a majority and are ultimately implemented in framing policies for ETNO and for its administration.
Executive Board: This board consists of 11 members, which includes a chairman who is elected by the General Assembly. This board is charged with conducting the management functions of the association and its main agenda is to promote and evaluate proposals regarding internal rules, membership matters, and external initiatives and so on.
Working Groups and Special Rapporteurs: These groups deal with myriad topics, which range from R&D to various EU policy matters. The working groups are assigned with tasks that are temporary thereby making their functions more issue-based than being structure-based. [3]
Objectives
To establish a constructive dialogue between the decision-makers, its member companies and other forces contributing in development of the European Information Society for the sake of benefit of users is the main motive of ETNO. [1]
Facts and Figures
The ETNO represents 41 operators in 35 European countries extending the boundaries of European Union (EU). Investments made by the members of the ETNO alone accounts for two-thirds investments of the entire investment made in the telecom sector of Europe. Out of these, 43% of its investments are made into the mobile and 57% are made into the fixed operations, which also includes broadband networks. [4]
ETNO and ICANN
The ETNO has always welcomed an opportunity to comment over the functioning of the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN). In an ENTO reflection document in response to the U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC) on the review of Joint Project Agreement (JPA) with ICANN, the ETNO reiterated that it is always committed towards providing all the necessary support to ICANN. It also commended ICANN over its progress in the arena of expansion of gTLDs and towards distribution of the Internationalized Domain Names. ETNO has also stated that ICANN has been able to reorganize itself and has addressed all the issues of its stakeholders convincingly but also advised ICANN over sustaining this relationship with their stake holders by defining ICANN’s transition to a multi-stakeholder bottom-up managed organization.[5]