Telcos say EU reform plans offer fast pain, uncertain gain

Telecommunications executives were generally downbeat about proposals for a revamp of European Union regulation because price caps and limits on roaming charges would hit their profits soon, while ideas they liked were less sure to be adopted.

The industry welcomed some proposals such as giving the EU veto power over auctions of mobile spectrum and letting operators charge web companies for carrying data-heavy services at high speeds. But since these ideas are controversial with the member states and EU Parliament, which must ratify the law, telecommunications executives fear they might not get through.