Recent EU Publications and App

Smart Radio Monitor App

The European Commission crowd-sourcing project is designed to gather and share radio spectrum data about mobile telephony coverage, WIFI channel occupancy, broadband and net neutrality. Anyone with a recent smart phone (Android or iPhone) can download an app that will automatically record the characteristics of the signals they are getting on their phone –WIFI, 4G, 3G, 2G or nothing – and test the latency, upload and download performance of their Internet connection with additional net neutrality tests they can select. This data is saved locally to the phone and can be sent back to the SRM research database. The aim is then to plot the aggregated findings on a map, in an interactive web site.
Results and links to dowload the App can be found HERE.

The European Consumer Centres Network
10 years serving Europe’s consumers : anniversary report 2005-2015
European Consumer Centres (ECCs) provide information, free advice and assistance on cross-border shopping in the EU, Norway and Iceland. They are co-financed by the European Commission and national governments in order to make sure that everyone can take full advantage of the Single Market, both material and digital, wherever, whatever or however they buy. They act as a network, the ECC-Net, to provide information and advice on making trouble-free purchases and on the rights available if consumers run into problems either during the transaction or subsequently. These can range from being discriminated against on the grounds of residence to hidden charges, from failure to respect the 14-day coolingoff period for distance and online purchases to cancellation of a flight. The Centres provide free assistance to consumers so that they are well aware of their rights and can easily reach an agreement with traders on their own. For the more difficult cases, they can also call on the help of the ECC in the trader’s country. The network also pools its expertise to provide information on topical issues to consumers and traders. For example, in 2014 they developed a travel app for consumers and advice to traders on consumers’ e-commerce rights. Where the Centres are unsuccessful in brokering a satisfactory agreement between traders and consumers, they will advise consumers to use the court or out-of-court dispute resolution scheme best suited to their case. The Centres also produce studies and reports as input to policy development, and work with enforcement authorities

Link to download the report HERE

Farms are Fun
For those with (grand)children that live in cities and honestly believe that milk comes from the supermarket… or just because you run out of things to do during the long Spanish summer holidays.
Link to download HERE.

Please note: The information provided is based upon our understanding of current legislation. It is not legal advice but is provided freely to enable you to be properly informed. We recommend that if you are considering taking action, you should seek professional advice.