The European Union has claimed that telecoms watchdogs have become too close to the industries they are supposed to monitor.
"There are too many national regulators which obey industry and government," said EU communications commissioner Viviane Reding.
Reding maintained that a "second pair of eyes" is needed to ensure that the same standards are applied across the whole of Europe.
The plans, which have already received the backing of Strasbourg, would create a second level of regulation to monitor the decisions of Ofcom and other telecoms regulators in Europe.
Other measures proposed by the European Telecom Market Authority will push for clearer broadband marketing, quicker changeover of mobile and landline telephone numbers and calls to a freephone number no matter where the user is in Europe.
Reding is also keen to spread Wi-Fi throughout the continent's territories. "Wireless broadband for all is high on my agenda with no citizen left behind," she said.
The commissioner has now begun a tour of the region to convince member states to back the plans.
EC prepares to step in amid claims that mobile operators have failed to self-regulate charges 15 Jul 2008
Report claiming solar panels take over 100 years to recoup their value is just plain wrong, say manufacturers 05 Sep 2008
Republican attempts to highlight differences over energy policy as both candidates pledge to deliver US energy independence 05 Sep 2008
Once your company has gathered up all the low-hanging fruit, what comes next? Sarah Fister Gale finds that the answer lies in everything from multi-million dollar energy efficiency programmes to printers powered by exercise bikes 03 Sep 2008
Slow journey times mean airships are highly unlikely to replace passenger jets, but, as Danny Bradbury discovers, a flotilla of new companies are convinced that low-fuel costs mean the old-fashioned aircraft could have huge appeal to freight operators 02 Sep 2008
Recent claims from the oil giant's chief executive suggesting tar sand extraction is required to slow the shift to coal may have caught the eye, but as BusinessGreen.com discovers they do not make much sense 28 Aug 2008









