EU's digital champion speaks out
Jinfo Blog

By Anne Jordan

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The EU's Digital Agenda Commissioner Neelie Kroes has been settling in to her new post and is making her views known. Last month she warned that telecoms companies would not be allowed to charge online content providers to deliver content that requires high bandwidth, and this month she has welcomed the proposals from the European Parliament on Europe's digital future.

Neelie Kroes, formerly the Commissioner for Competition, was appointed as Commissioner of the EU's Digital Agenda at the end of 2009. In a speech last month in Paris, she warned telecoms companies that she would take action if they sought to charge for carrying high-bandwidth online content, for example video-sharing services such as You Tube (reported in the Financial Times at http://digbig.com/5bbnyt - registration may be required).

In addition, she would not tolerate ISPs that restricted the speed of commercial websites. Ms Kroes's comments were made in response to the news that three European telecoms companies - Telefonica, France Telecom, and Deutsche Telekom - were looking to put pressure on Google to start paying to use their networks. The rationale was that because Google services use up so much bandwidth, it was only fair they help pay to maintain and upgrade the networks.

Many would argue that telecoms companies are paid by subscribers to provide a solid network infrastructure with enough bandwidth for users to enjoy online content in any form. Ms Kroes said she would "rely on the interpretation of existing rules to defend her stance, and would not intervene unless required."

No doubt her position will be strengthened by her reputation as a tough regulator whilst Competition Commissioner. More recently Neelie Kroes has welcomed the European Parliament's views on Europe's digital future - in particular proposals that all EU citizens should have access to broadband internet by 2013, be able to use their mobile phones as a mobile wallet and have access to all public services online by 2015 - and said that the Commission will take into account the European Parliament's views in preparing its forthcoming Communication on a Digital Agenda for Europe.

Whilst many may be sceptical of European initiatives, with a new Digital Agenda champion, it's surely an area to watch in the coming months.

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