Europe: Malcolm harbour indicates a deal has been reached on the telecommunications reform package

[wsj] European decision-making bodies Tuesday reached a last-minute deal on a far-reaching overhaul of European telecoms rules, paving a way for a parliamentary vote to turn the proposal into law, according to a European Union lawmaker.

"We have come to an agreement," said European Parliamentarian Malcolm Harbour, who is one of the key policy makers on the issue. He added, fingers crossed that this will be accepted in the European Council's meeting tomorrow, but "we are pretty confident."

The deal had been previously endangered by the European Parliament's proposal to add a last-minute amendment to the overall package that would guarantee individuals more sweeping rights to remain connected to the Internet, than what European member states were willing to grant.

European Union practice is that a palatable solution for both the E.U.'s 27 member states and the European Parliament has to be found before the Parliament can have a conclusive vote on the proposal.

Representative's from both the European Council and the parliament, as well as the European Commission participated in Tuesday's negotiated solution.

EU Decision Makers In Draft Deal On Telecoms Package-Lawmaker