T. whereas the rollout of high-speed broadband internet access has been gradual (54 % of European households now have access to speeds of over 30 Mbps), but European consumers have been slow to adopt this type of access (only 4,2 % of households); whereas the rollout of ultrafast internet access (over 100 Mbps) has been slow, representing only 3,4 % of all fixed lines, and user demand appears weak, with only about 2 % of households subscribing to such lines ;

T. whereas the rollout of high-speed broadband internet access has been gradual (54 % of European households now have access to speeds of over 30 Mbps), but European consumers have been slow to adopt this type of access (only 4.2 % of households); whereas the rollout of ultrafast internet access (over 100 Mbps) has been slow, representing only 3.4 % of all fixed lines, and user demand appears weak, with only about 2 % of households subscribing to such lines;

4. Member States, in cooperation with the Commission, shall ensure that the provision of access to broadband content and services using the 790-862 MHz (800MHz) band is encouraged in sparsely populated areas, in particular through coverage obligations; in doing so, they shall ensure that the freeing of the 800 MHz band does not adversely affect programme making and special events (PMSE) users and existing and future radio transmissions and that appropriate measures are taken to compensate existing users for current and future migration costs.

4. Member States, in cooperation with the Commission, shall ensure that the provision of access to broadband content and services using the 790-862 MHz (800MHz) band is encouraged in sparsely populated areas, in particular through coverage obligations; in doing so, they shall examine ways and, where necessary, take appropriate measures to ensure that the freeing of the 800 MHz band does not adversely affect programme making and special events (PMSE) users.

The amendment seeks to ensure the directive covers the direct debit procedure which is practised to a great extent in a few Member States (for example in Germany, where there are around six billion such transactions a year, mainly for the payment of small and very small sums at regular intervals). This procedure is regarded by payment service providers and users alike as very efficient, reliable and inexpensive and, from the user’s point of view, offers a very low risk of the system being abused, with any resulting losses being met by ...[+++] the payment service provider.

Large areas of low population density are likely to have fewer, smaller refuelling stations (in terms of volume throughput or number of dispensing pumps), with larger stations focused on more densely populated areas.