Meta is unwilling to pay network fees to EU telecom operators, saying technical cooperation should be given priority.

CTOnews.com June 16, Reuters reported that Meta said yesterday that subsidies from large technology companies should be the "last resort" for EU telecom operators to try to make U.S. companies bear part of the network costs. This option should only be considered if other technical cooperation schemes are not desirable, and the use of subsidies needs to be strictly monitored.

Over the past two decades, Deutsche Telekom, Orange, Telefonica and other EU operators have been lobbying US tech giants to contribute to the construction of 5G and broadband. Operators argue that tech giants consume a large portion of the EU's internet traffic and should pay for it.

CTOnews.com previously reported that the European Commission held consultations earlier this year on whether tech giants should bear part of the cost of European telecommunications networks. Companies such as Meta have said the move won't solve telecom companies 'financial problems and ignores huge investments by technology companies.

Meta, responding to the Commission's exploratory consultation on network fees, said subsidised telecoms companies should also face strong regulation, including processes to ensure that funds are used only for network investments.

Sources revealed earlier this month that most EU countries also refuse to levy network fees on large tech companies.

Meta said: "The European Commission should first require any telecommunications company seeking subsidies to work in good faith with CAP (content application provider) to explore technical, non-subsidized solutions."