European ministers approve of Kroes’ Digital Agenda

The Digital Agenda, that was recently presented by Euro commissioner Neelie Kroes, has been approved yesterday by the European council of telecoms ministers. The plan consists of seven key points that should lead to better use of IT and internet in the European Union. These points “should lead to more jobs, more prosperity and a better quality of life for citizens and companies,” said Kroes.

An important element in Kroes’ plans is the single digital market, which should enhance the opportunities for international trade and should counter piracy. Kroes wants to make it easier for internet users to sign up for, for example, streaming music services that are hosted in other European countries. In the supply of digital content, the EU is far behind the US. That is largely due to copyright and licensing models differing from member state to member state. When a company wants to launch a new service, it needs to make individual deals with governments and collecting societies of every country. This is expensive and time-consuming. Kroes plans to change this situation by facilitating the international management and licensing for copyright easier. 

Besides and internal digital market, the EC will promote the use and development of open IT standards. Interoperable standard, reasons Kroes, stimulate innovation and creativity, which in turns benefits online entrepreneurship.

Furthermore, the Digital Agenda proposes to stimulate access to high speed broadband internet and reducing the number of people that lack the skills to successfully make use of the digital environment.

As Kroes makes a plea for better use of digital services, the safe and trusted use of these services becomes extra important. Therefore, she wants to step up the fight against cybercrime and cyberterrorism.

1 June 2010