Brussels, 02/07/2015 (Agence Europe) - European and national decision-makers and the financial institutions must create the right conditions for the roll-out of digital infrastructure to encourage innovation, investment and competition.
That was the view expressed by those taking part in the round table discussion at the European Parliament on Thursday 2 July. The event was organised by the Prysmian group, the world leader in high technology cables and systems for energy and telecommunications, and the discussion, the theme of which was Investing in the technologies of tomorrow: challenges of the digital single market, was chaired by Dominique Riquet (EPP, France). For Riquet, “reliable high-speed broadband, like other energy or transport infrastructures, are key to increasing our growth potential and thus boosting Europe's real economic competitiveness in a globalised market”.
Participants highlighted the role of passive telecommunications infrastructure in the future digital single market and spoke of the challenges of putting in place the high-speed, secure and trustworthy ICT infrastructure that is the real backbone of the European digital economy. According to the experts, policy initiatives that encourage the creation of this infrastructure are essential. “Economic operators who design and implement fibre-based, ultra-high-speed access network technologies have a unique role in helping meet the 2020 targets of the digital agenda for Europe”, said Philippe Vanhille, speaking for the Prysmian group. Participants in the debate also questioned the type and quality of technology most effective for networks, that is to say, latest generation optical fibre cables, which optimise overall capital expenditure and minimise future maintenance. (Isabelle Lamberty)