Memo: Telecoms Ministerial in Prague: ‘Next Steps in EU Telecoms’

The 27 EU Telecoms Ministers will meet in Prague on 17 February 2009 following an invitation from the Czech EU Presidency. They will discuss issues related to the telecoms sector, crucial for the future development of a European knowledge economy. The main topics are expected to be the role of information and communication technologies (ICT) and of a single market without regulatory borders in responding to the economic crisis. The European Commission aims to achieve high-speed internet coverage for all citizens by 2010 as part of the European Economic Recovery Plan and has proposed to earmark € 1 billion to support broadband infrastructure investments. The Commission will be represented at the Ministerial Conference by Viviane Reding, EU Telecoms Commissioner.

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