Brussels, 19/05/2010 (Agence Europe) - Europe can put things off no longer. If it wants to catch up with its competitors (US, Japan, South Korea, in particular) in the area of new technology, it is imperative that it takes action. On Wednesday 19 May, Neelie Kroes, the Commissioner responsible for the digital agenda unveiled an ambitious Digital Agenda for Europe that should contribute significantly to the EU's sound, sustainable economic growth and spread the benefits of the digital era to all sections of society. Digital Strategy is the first of seven flagship initiatives taken from the EU 2020 strategy framework. The commissioner said: “The digital world affects us all, we do not have the choice. But we can decide how to use these changes to encourage European growth, create jobs and improve the well-being of our citizens. This is the decision that the Commission is taking today and we are calling on all those who are participating in the digital future of Europe to support us in this approach”.
The digital market does not yet exist. There are, on the other hand, fragmented national markets that prevent the diffusion of goods and services beyond national borders. The Commission identifies seven significant obstacles that, taken individually or in combination, undermine efforts to fully exploit the potential provided by information and communication technology (ICT): barriers between digital markets, the lack of inter-operability, the increase in cyber crime and the risk of network failure, the lack of investment in networks, insufficient research and innovation, the lack of digital skills, wasted opportunities for tackling societal challenges. The Commission would like to take action in all of these areas and its strategy it describes seven action priorities to rectify the problem. These objectives are as follows: 1) Creating a new digital market that allows the advantages of the digital era to be shared: to allow Europeans to be able to benefit from commercial services and cultural content that goes beyond borders, the Commission intends to simplify copyright clearance, management and cross-border licensing. Neelie Kroes intends to pursue this initiative “hand-in-hand” with Michel Barnier, the Commissioner for the internal market. Other areas of action include measures to facilitate electronic payments and invoices and simplify online dispute settlement. 2) Improving standards and inter-operability in ICT: to create, combine and innovate, it is necessary to have open and inter-operable ICT products and services. 3) Enhancing trust and security: to help Europeans feel confident and safe online, a better coordinated European response to cyber-attacks and reinforced rules on personal data protection are part of the solution. 4) Increase Europeans' access to fast and ultra fast Internet: the 2020 target is internet speeds of 30 Mbps or above for all European citizens, with half European households subscribing to connections of 100Mbps or higher. Today only 1% of Europeans have a fast fibre-optic internet connection, compared to 12% of Japanese and 15% of South Koreans. The Commission will inter alia explore how to attract investment in broadband through credit enhancement mechanisms and will encourage investment in fibre-optic networks. 5) Boosting cutting-edge research and innovation in ICT: EU investment in ICT research is less than half US levels (€37 billion compared to €88 billion in 2007). The Commission would like to see private investment develop through European regional funds and increase the research budget in ICT, so that Europe can really compete with its rivals. 6) Empowering all Europeans with digital skills and accessible online services: 30% of Europeans have never used the internet. Everyone, young and old, irrespective of social background, should have the knowledge and skills they need to be part of the digital era since commerce, access to public, social and health services, learning and political life is increasingly moving online. 7) Unleashing the potential of ICT to benefit society: we need to invest in smart use of technology and the exploitation of information to seek solutions to reduce energy consumption, support ageing citizens, empower patients and improve the daily lives of people with disabilities.
Commissioner Kroes posed the question of whether Europeans were ambitious or unrealistic and affirmed that for the former the answer was affirmative and for the latter, the answer was negative. The action plan is in place. The hardest part will be rapidly adopting and implementing the measures necessary for achieving these objectives. Some Commissioners will collaborate with the EU institutions and stakeholders to ensure that the digital strategy becomes a reality, explained the Commission. (I.L./transl.fl)