The European Commission has cleared under the EU Merger Regulation the proposed acquisition of Symbol Technologies Inc, an American company producing so-called 'ruggedised' mobile computers (i.e. with a rugged body designed for use in harsh, dirty or extreme environments or ways which might easily damage a standard mobile computer), by Motorola Inc (Motorola) of the US, active in wireless and broadband technology. The European Commission concluded that the transaction would not significantly impede effective competition in the European Economic Area (EEA) or any substantial part of it. [European Commission Press Release]

The European Commission has formally requested Luxembourg to comply within two months with a Court of Justice ruling of 12 June 2003 regarding access to its telecommunications markets. The Court ruling confirmed that Luxembourg has failed to fully transpose Directive 90/388/CEE on competition in the markets for telecommunication services into national law. In particular, procedures for obtaining rights of way to roll out telecommunication networks alongside roads and railway lines in Luxembourg lack transparency. The Commission considers that despite improvements to its legislation, Luxembourg has still not executed the judgment. It has therefore decided to send a request explaining which further steps Luxembourg needs to take to comply with the judgment. This request takes the form of a reasoned opinion, the second step of EC Treaty infringement procedures for failure to respect a Court ruling (Article 228). If Luxembourg continues to fail to comply, the Commission may refer the matter to the Court for a second time and request the Court to impose fines on Luxembourg until fully transparent procedures are in place (periodic penalty payments, lump sums or both) [European Commission Press Release]

Opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee on the Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on roaming on public mobile networks within the Community and amending Directive 220/21/EC on a common regulatory framework for electronic communications networks and services [[2006] OJ C 324/42]

EU Council Directive 2006/138/EC of 19 December 2006 amending Directive 2006/112/EC on the common system of value added tax as regards the period of application of the value added tax arrangements applicable to radio and television broadcasting services and certain electronically supplied services [[2006] OJ L 384/92]

Opinion of the European Data Protection Supervisor on the modified proposal for a Council Regulation amending Regulation (EC) 1030/2002 laying down a uniform format for residence permits for third-country nationals [[2006] OJ C 320/21]

European Commission Decision 2006/951/EC of 12 October 2006 on the United Kingdom's application of the tax on non-domestic property to telecommunications infrastructure in the United Kingdom [[2006] OJ L 383/70]

EU Council Decision 2006/1005/EC of 18 December 2006 concerning conclusion of the Agreement between the Government of the United States of America and the European Community on the coordination of energy-efficiency labelling programs for office equipment [[2006] OJ L 381/24] [[2006] OJ L 381/26]

Recommendation 2006/952/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 20 December 2006 on the protection of minors and human dignity and on the right of reply in relation to the competitiveness of the European audiovisual and on-line information services industry [[2006] OJ L 378/72]