Europe Finally Gets Digital Agenda

Not to be outdone by the the former Labour UK government’s plans for a ‘Digital Britain‘ outlined last year, the European Union (EU) yesterday unveiled its ‘Digital Agenda’.

The European Commission (EC) officially published its long-awaited plans for tapping into the growing global digital economy, outlining its policy plans for the next five years in seven distinct areas.

Broadband access, online rights

Much like the Digital Britain’s slightly less ambitious internet access plans, the EC wants to target broadband internet speeds of 30 Mbps or above for all European citizens by 2020, with half of European households subscribing to connections of 100Mbps or higher. By contrast, today it said only one percent of Europeans have a fast fibre-based internet connection, compared to 12 percent of Japanese and 15 percent of South Koreans.

To do this it said it will investigate ways of encouraging broadband network investment. And a European Spectrum Policy Programme to be finalised later this year will also aim to broaden information access by increasing the efficiency of radio spectrum management for consumers and the media alike.

Another key focus will be rights and safety online. The agenda outlined plans to strengthen EU rules on personal data protection, improve the EU’s digital rights ‘eYou’ guide and create an EU-wide online resolution system for e-commerce transactions to establish a digital single market, while facilitating a better coordinated European response to cyber attacks, identity theft and spam.

The report also highlighted the need for greater interoperability and better standards, more investment in research and development, enhancing digital literacy skills and inclusion,  applying information and communication technologies (ICT) to address challenges facing society like climate change and an ageing population.

European Commission vice president for the Digital Agenda, Neelie Kroes said: “The ambitious strategy set out today shows clearly where we need to focus our efforts in the years to come. To fully realise the potential of Europe’s digital future we need the full commitment of Member States, the ICT [information communication technology] sector and other vital economic players.”

Kroes also promised as emphasis on practical results like easier electronic payments and invoicing, rapid deployment of telemedicine, energy efficient lighting and super-fast broadband for Europeans, including in remote areas. But, even though 31 of the 100 or so actions that must be followed up from the agenda are likely to be legislative, a number of groups felt its remit did not go far enough.

“While it includes some important building blocks for free software, the omission of open standards rips a gaping hole in this agenda,” saud Karsten Gerloff, president of the Free Software Foundation Europe. 

FSFE welcomed plans to give standards a greater role in the public procurement of software, and to get dominant software vendors to license their interoperability information, opening up the software market for free software vendors. However, the group said the agenda avoids any reference to open standards in favour of the European Interoperability Framework.

By contrast, the Business Software Alliance (BSA) picked up on the absence of any call for stronger measures to protect intellectual property (IP) rights. Francisco Mingorance, BSA senior director of government affairs, said: “Incentivising innovation and investment in technology requires commitments to safeguard IP. We would have expected to see more recognition for the essential protections provided by patents and copyright.”

Mingorance warned that overlooking this valuable resource could drive away investments in technology, innovation, and jobs at a crucial time in terms of economic recovery.