Information technology

Enabling the digital revolution

Although the information revolution – mobile phones, the internet, high-speed digital delivery systems – is driven by technology and market forces, the EU has been at the heart of the process:

• setting the pace for opening markets
• ensuring fair access for all companies
• defending consumer interests
• setting technical standards.

The result for individuals and businesses is cheaper, more reliable and higher quality services. Consumer choice has widened in terms of both suppliers and services – and in response to all this, demand for mobile telephones and internet access has exploded.

From regulation to competition

With the convergence of communications and broadcasting technology via digitisation, in 2003 the EU had to introduce rules covering all electronic communications networks and services.

Now these rules are under review, with a new focus on:

• ensuring all customers have access to basic services at affordable prices (phone, fax, internet, free emergency calls), including people with disabilities
• further stimulating competition by reducing the dominant position that former national telecom monopolies had maintained for certain services, like high-speed internet access.

The rules are applied independently by the authorities in each EU country, with national regulators coordinating their policies at EU level through forums like the Body of European Regulators for Electronic Communications, BEREC (former European Regulators Group (ERG).

The review is seeking to further simplify the rules by having BEREC take over part of the regulatory function, thereby being a single agency for the whole of Europe.

Driving economic growth

Information technologies are now a major part of Europe's economic growth strategy – specifically in the form of its Digital agenda, which outlines policies and measures to maximise the benefit of the digital revolution for all.

To achieve this goal, the Commission works closely with national governments and relevant organisations and companies. An annual Digital Agenda Assembly brings these stakeholders together to assess progress and emerging challenges.

Bridging the digital divide

Although more than half of all Europeans are regular internet users, and mobile phone penetration is even higher, the EU wants to maximise the use of information technologies.

If the EU is to have an efficient and competitive economy:

• businesses and individuals must have access to cheap, high-quality communications infrastructure and a wide range of services
• we must all be able to obtain the skills needed to live and work in the information age.

Specific action by the EU to achieve this includes:

• ensuring operators charge fair prices for mobile phone usage abroad in the EU (roaming charges)
• supporting internet access and the penetration of new digital services in poorer (often outlying) EU regions
• promoting the spread of high-speed broadband for households
• supporting the expansion of e-business services for companies and online public services.

Broadband is the key

The key enabling technology is broadband internet access, providing fast, cheap and permanent online communication. Nearly 30% of EU households have broadband access, although the figures are lower for the countries that have joined the EU since 2004.

The drive is on to connect schools, universities, libraries, museums and similar institutions to broadband networks. Some 96% of schools in the EU are now online, 67% with high-speed broadband.

EU governments are also starting to provide online health services to their citizens, including information on illness prevention, online health records, remote consultations and electronic reimbursement of medical expenses.