5. Recalls that the reform’s overriding ambition should be to secure high-quality services, in a resource-efficient way and at affordable prices for citizens, but without losing sight of the need for sustainable and high-quality employment; is convinced that this ambition can be achieved, without limiting the opportunities for growth and competition, by state aid financing such services when appropriate, and not the providers;

35. Stresses, furthermore, that all transfers of competence for SSGI from Member States to local or regional authorities require the introduction of coordination arrangements, in order to avoid any disparities in the quality of the services provided in the various areas, and must go hand in hand with the transfer of the resources required to ensure the continued provision of high-quality universal services that can respond to the rights and needs of users in an effective manner;

We also believe that the report should, in other respects, fight for the promotion of public rail services through the existence of strong public companies with all their merits, with effective management to ensure high-quality services and high safety standards; for a guaranteed, high-quality, high-capacity, comfortable public rail service with affordable fares, fully meeting the needs of passenger mobility and goods transport; and for job security for the workers in the sector, promoting their inclusion in the companies’ senior management teams, enhancing careers and wages and ensuring continued training.

B. whereas, in order for a successful roll-out of 3G to take place, there is not only a need for networks, but also for high-value content services, and whereas government information is a potentially important raw material for the development of this kind of high-value content services,

B. whereas, in order for a successful roll-out of 3G to take place, there is a need not only for networks but at the same time for high-value content services, and whereas government information is a potentially important raw material for the development of this kind of high-value content services,

Research will focus on: development of multisectorial concepts, systems and tools, user equipment including receivers, which will rely on precise navigation and timing service provision; spreading of high level, coherent and seamless quality services in all environments (cities, indoors and outdoors, land, sea, air, etc.), in synergy with other service provision (telecommunication, surveillance, observation, etc.).