* Make-or-break telecoms reform talks start on Nov. 4
* Failure may delay law on boosting competition for years
* Talks to focus on Internet access for suspected pirates
By Marcin Grajewski
BRUSSELS, Oct 22 (Reuters) - European Union lawmakers and the bloc's governments will make a final attempt in November to clinch a deal on a major reform to boost competition in the EU's telecoms sector, the parliament said on Thursday.
The European Parliament sent the planned legislation back to the negotiating table in May, due to concerns over perceived inadequate rights for Internet users.
Against the wishes of the EU's 27 governments, the assembly then passed an amendment that would make it impossible for them to cut access to the Internet to those who download music or films illegally, without a proper court ruling.
The amendment, which is still rejected by the governments, has threatened to derail the reform, which would create a new pan-EU supervisor to improve how the bloc's telecoms rules are applied so that no operator can be shielded from competition.
It would also beef up consumers' contractual rights.
Under EU complex decision-making rules, the parliament and EU states have joint say on the reform.
"We go into the negotiations in a spirit of compromise, but determined to defend users' rights and committed to the development of a regulatory framework that will incentivise investment and open up the market," said the parliament's chief negotiator, Spanish right-wing deputy Alejo Vidal-Quadras.
The assembly's controversial amendment reads: "no restriction may be imposed on the fundamental rights and freedoms of end users, without a prior ruling by the judicial authorities ... save when public security is threatened."
France passed an Internet piracy law in September, which will allow authorities to disconnect repeat illegal downloaders. The British government has proposed similar legislation.
The EU parliament, elected in June, had had an option to start work on the reform from the scratch, which might have delayed the law for years. But it opted to carry on with the current reform in a final round of negotiations.
Parliament officials will now meet negotiators from governments on Nov. 4 in the so-called conciliation committee, which will have six to eight weeks to clinch a compromise.
If they do, the parliament and the council of EU telecoms ministers would have another eight weeks to pass the final text without making any amendments.
If they fail, the executive European Commission would have to propose another set of laws, work on which could last years. (Editing by Eupert Winchester)