| Author (Person) | McLauchlin, Anna |
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| Series Title | European Voice |
| Series Details | Vol.11, No.21, 2.6.05 |
| Publication Date | 02/06/2005 |
| Content Type | News |
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By Anna McLauchlin Date: 02/06/05 Internet providers have cautiously welcomed the European Commission's five-year programme on the digital economy. The i2010, unveiled by the Commissioner for Information Society and Media Viviane Reding yesterday (1 June), concentrates on three main objectives: creating a single market for information society, boosting innovation and investment in research, and improving internet take-up around Europe. Richard Nash, secretary general of European Internet Services Providers Association EuroISPA, said that it would be hard for the programme "to get the issues back on the agenda". "There is no way that you can foster a single, or even a well co-ordinated market if member states do not take up their responsibilities to implement policies," he said. As part of the plans, the Commission will next year begin an overhaul of existing EU laws on information society. This would take account of the fact that technologies and content are converging and create a "consistent internal market framework for information society", the paper said. Michael Bartholomew, director of telecom industry association ETNO, said: "Tomorrow's realities can easily become yesterday's realities. We hope that the review of the regulatory framework will be forward-looking enough and comprehensive enough for our industry to continue investing in new generation technologies." Reding said that while in Cannes, she had hosted a roundtable with CEOs from both content firms and internet companies in order for both sides to hear each other's views on convergence. The two have traditionally been divided, because content companies feel that broadband providers do not do enough to clamp down on downloading piracy. The commissioner told European Voice: "In a year's time I hope I'll have an agreement between the two industries in a win-win situation." She added that she would only regulate if necessary. Christopher Marcich, EU managing director of the Motion Picture Association, said that he was "optimistic" that measures could be seen within 12 months. He said: "There's a mutual interest. Internet Service Providers will benefit from a legitimate service take-off and the [film] industry needs the assurance of knowing that their work is protected." Improved research depends on Reding's budget from 2007. The Commission has asked for the budget to be raised from €1 billion per year to €1.8bn, but the final figure will depend on the outcome of negotiations between member states. The European Commission's presented a new five-year programme on the digital economy, 1 June 2005. The i2010, unveiled by the Commissioner for Information Society and Media, Viviane Reding, was to concentrate on three main objectives: creating a single market for information society, boosting innovation and investment in research, and improving internet take-up around Europe. Article features reactions from the industry. |
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| Source Link | Link to Main Source http://www.european-voice.com/ |
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| Subject Categories | Business and Industry |
| Countries / Regions | Europe |
