<\/p>\n
Europe\u2019s biggest telecoms companies have called on streaming firms to pay for some of the rising costs of data.<\/p>\n
A host of well-known operators \u2013 including Vodafone and Deutsche Telekom \u2013 have urged the likes of Netflix and Amazon to shoulder some of the economic responsibility in the current climate.<\/p>\n
In a joint statement, the bosses of the telecoms companies said: \u201cWe believe that the largest traffic generators should make a fair contribution to the sizeable costs they currently impose on European networks.<\/p>\n
\u201cA fair contribution would send a clear financial signal for streamers in relation to the data growth associated with their use of scarce network resources.\u201d<\/p>\n
At present, European telecoms companies spend as much as \u20ac50 billion annually on building and maintaining their networks.<\/p>\n
However, it\u2019s now been suggested that the streaming companies ought to assume more of the financial responsibility, amid rising costs and broader economic uncertainties.<\/p>\n
The statement added: \u201cIn this context, the issue of ensuring a sustainable ecosystem for the internet and connectivity is more urgent than ever.<\/p>\n
\u201cTimely action is a must. Europe missed out on many of the opportunities offered by the consumer internet. It must now swiftly build strength for the age of the metaverses.\u201d<\/p>\n