THE COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS - welcomes the Commission proposal's general objective of moving towards a single market for electronic communications; points out, however, that changes to the European legal framework for electronic communications must take due account of the de facto and de jure situation in the Member States and regions; - draws attention to the fact that a gradual, multi-speed approach is the only possible way of developing the digital society and progressively achieving convergence; - reiterates that local and regional authorities have a key role in ensuring equal and affordable broadband access in areas where the market fails; urges, therefore, the Commission to support them in their financing activities, firstly by authorising participation by the European Structural Funds in the financing of digital infrastructure in all EU regions, and secondly by recognising digital development projects in rural and sparsely populated areas as services of general economic interest; - broadly welcomes the introduction of a single EU authorisation procedure but underlines the need to ensure that it does not lead to greater legal uncertainty and reduce the predictability of regulations; - rejects the European Commission's proposed measures to harmonise spectrum management, and suggests establishing an EU-wide status quo regarding spectrum allocation plans and timetables before developing a European spectrum regime; - notes that the proposed harmonisation of end-user rights must not reduce the level of protection currently provided in the Member States, and advises the Commission to consider strengthening end-user rights by means of minimum harmonisation; - welcomes the reduction in maximum tariffs for regulated roaming calls and the ban on charges for receiving calls when roaming, and supports the Commission's efforts to prevent unjustified surcharges over the long term and to achieve uniform prices for national and international calls for consumers.