Digital Single Market: “the more consistent the rules, the fewer the obstacles”

On 30 January, European Commissioner for Digital Agenda Neelie Kroes underlined that the Digital Single Market needs to create consistent rules which will lead to a more consistent environment.

During her speech in the Centre on Regulation in Europe the Commissioner highlighted the barriers someone meets if he wantsto invest in the Digital Single Market. “Time-consuming planning rules; divergent network access prices and products; unavailable spectrum,” are some of the obstacles Mrs. Kroes mentioned. “The solutions need to be just as varied. We need a strategic vision, and a programme of pragmatic actions: detailed, technical, thought-through,” the Commissioner stressed.

In order to complete the Digital Single Market reforms, Kroes announced that she intends to present a package of ten steps to make the EU Telecom market more integrated and efficient. The ten steps are: (i) A Directive for fixed broadband which will stimulateinvestments; (ii) Promote wireless communication in EU, by implementing the radio spectrum policy programme; (iii) Present the wireless action plan, at early Spring; (iv) Include in EU Budget, financial support tobroadband roll-out; (v) Cut inefficient projects costs, such as not digging the roads countless times; (vi) the new EU guideline on broadband state aid, which enables states to support broadband where markets don’t deliver; (vii) Complete the study on actual internet speeds, in order to promote transparency; (viii) Stimulate net neutrality; (ix) the publication of the new Recommendation on universal service in a digital society; (x) enhance demand for broadband.

Mrs. Kroes concluded her speech saying, “all those new digital ideas and innovations, products and services: they all run on the rails of broadband, fixed and wireless. And with the Digital Single Market boost, we can make it easier to deliver.”