Brussels, 31/07/2006 (Agence Europe) - The Commission has launched a public consultation on ways to stimulate the growth of a true EU single market for online digital content. The Commission believes that on-line content could play a crucial role for the growth of Europe's sector for information and communication technologies (ICT) and media. Western European online content-sharing frameworks and markets are expected to triple by 2008 (with the user/creator part growing tenfold). These developments are expected to multiply across the sector, already accounting for 8% of EU GDP today. The public consultation can help towards identifying economic and regulatory obstacles to the development of on-line services in the European market; measure competitiveness in the European on-line industries compares to that in other regions of the world and help towards locating what progress is needed in the inter-operability of digital management systems in Europe. The consultation takes place against the background of the rapid convergence of audiovisual media, broadband networks and electronic devices, which is making it easier for consumers not only to access a wider range of creative digital content and to create content themselves. “Supplying content on line, such as films, music and games, not only helps to make Europe's culture more accessible, but will also be a tremendous opportunity for Europe's content industry to expand its own markets”, noted Information Society and Media Commissioner Viviane Reding. The deadline for replies to the content online consultation - which is open to industry, in particular content and internet service providers, consumer organisations, in particular from the “Internet community”, regulators and all interested parties - is on 13 October. (Info: (http: //ec.europa.eu/comm/avpolicy/other_actions/content_online/index_en.htm).