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On 4th August 2009, the European Commission published its
Digital Competitiveness Report. The report discusses the main
achievements of the Commission's i2010 strategy, which was
implemented with a view to strengthening Europe's
competitiveness in the ICT sector. The i2010 strategy sets out a
number of policy objectives which were intended to promote an open
and competitive digital economy across Europe and to ultimately
create a single market for ICT products.
The report sets out the main achievements of the i2010 strategy
between 2005 and 2009 as follows:
The number of regular internet user has increased from 43% in
2005 to 56% in 2008, with most regular users using the internet
daily and with high speed access. The number of users in
disadvantaged groups is increasing at the fastest rate.
There are 114 million internet subscribers in Europe. Half of
all households and more than 80% of businesses have a fixed
broadband connection. Broadband is available to 93% of the
population, compared with 87% in 2005.
The market for mobile phones has exceeded 100% penetration,
increasing from 85% of the EU population in 2005 to 119% in 2009.
Prices for talking and texting on mobiles have decreased over the
period, with a 70% drop in roaming charges since 2005.
EU funded ICT research has played a significant role in
Europe's major industrial development in fields such as
electronics and healthcare.
ICT policies have become increasingly commonplace, as member
states begin to appreciate their ability to stimulate productivity
and growth.
The report sets out these achievements against the backdrop of
the policy objectives set out in 2005:
Boosting the single market for businesses and consumers: the
Commission has actively sought to promote competition in
e-communications, remove regulatory barriers, and adopt a
coordinated approach to spectrum and the potential use of digital
dividend across member states.
Stimulating ICT research and innovation in Europe: there is a
plethora of ICT research being undertaken to close the gap with
Europe's leading competitors. The report highlights a more
coordinated focus on research and innovation is required to
complement the digital momentum.
Ensuring benefits for citizens: the Commission refers to
initiatives in relation to health services and eGovernment services
which provide government services online to address Europe's
demographic challenges.
However, despite these achievements, the report suggests that
Europe has further progress to make in supporting everyone's
access to the internet, promoting e-commerce, and boosting research
and development investments in the ICT sector, which are still
trailing by international standards compared to countries such as
the US and Japan.
In response to these challenges, the European Commission on the
4th August launched a consultation asking for views on nine crucial
areas for future ICT policies. Examples include initiatives aimed
at using ICT to drive economic recovery; increasing the role of ICT
in the transition to a sustainable low carbon economy and
increasing Europe's performance in ICT research and
development.
The consultation period on these issues runs until 9 October
2009 and the Commission intends to present a new European ICT
strategy next year. The European Commission is encouraging active
participation to help draft the new digital agenda allowing Europe
to emerge from the current economic crisis with a more competitive
and transparent digital economy, driving future European growth and
innovation.
This article was written for Law-Now, CMS Cameron
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developments.
The original publication date for this article was
06/08/2009.
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