Brussels, 10/09/2013 (Agence Europe) - The mobile industry in Europe is running out of steam as it lacks a favourable environment in which to develop. Such is the conclusion reached by GSMA, the association that defends the interests of mobile operators in Europe, in a report published on the occasion of the GSMA Mobile 360-Europe conference, on 5 September. “Europe was long viewed as a pioneer in mobile, but, as this report illustrates, is now lagging behind other regions in the deployment of mobile broadband, particularly in 4G/LTE”, bemoans Anne Bouverot, CEO GSMA. In her view, the mobile industry can play a major role in Europe's economic recovery as long as the European Union adopts a policy that promotes investment in the development of mobile broadband connectivity and innovation, and which encourages consumers to use mobile services. “This should be at the heart of the Commission's planned proposals on a single telecoms market”, added Bouverot. The College of Commissioners is to formally adopt, on Wednesday 12 September, the proposals put forward by Commissioner Neelie Kroes on this subject.
In 2012, the mobile industry generated some 2.1% of EU GDP, accounting for 394,000 jobs. That percentage could be much higher. Despite having the world's highest single subscriber penetration rates at 79%, Europe is the only region to see mobile revenues decline (from €162 billion in 2010 to €151 billion in 2012). Europe is lagging behind in the deployment of next-generation mobile technologies and the advanced services those technologies make possible, GSMA deplores. Long-term evolution (LTE) technology, or 4G, account for just 0.3% of connections in Europe. This is insignificant compared to 11% recorded in the United States or, better still, 28% in South Korea. GSMA sets out action priorities for the European Union, that will allow Europe to make up lost ground: 1) encourage investment through a harmonised spectrum policy; 2) eliminate barriers to market consolidation; 3) promote innovation when it comes to content and services; and 4) strengthen consumer confidence in mobile applications and services. “Collectively, we must create an environment that will attract and nurture investment in mobile. The single telecoms market initiative presents an important opportunity to enable this and we must get it right”, Bouverot argued. (IL/transl.jl)