ETNO calls on EU Council to adopt roadmap for the EU digital economy during its meeting on 24/25 October

At the FT-ETNO SUMMIT 2013 “One Single Telecom Market for Europe?”, ETNO called upon the EU Council to adopt a roadmap for the EU digital economy during its meeting on 24/25 October, in order to generate jobs and growth and to improve competitiveness.

Brussels, Belgium, 18-10-2013 — /EuropaWire/ — ETNO, in collaboration with the Financial Times, brought together CEOs of major European and international industry players, and representatives of European Institutions and Member States for this annual high-level event held in Brussels. Opened by Vice-President Neelie Kroes, French Minister delegate for SMEs, Innovation and Digital Economy Fleur Pellerin, Executive Chair for ETNO Luigi Gambardella and ETNO Director Daniel Pataki, this Summit focused on a single telecoms market for Europe and current legislative proposals to drive the digital economy. Among those speaking at the event were Timotheus Höttges, Chief Financial Officer, Deutsche Telekom; Stéphane Richard, Chairman and CEO, Orange; and Randall Stephenson, Chairman and CEO, AT&T.

ETNO highlighted the importance for the EU to encourage investment and innovation in new and enhanced high-capacity infrastructures by establishing a clear deregulatory agenda and to promote an effective level playing field between the rules that apply to Over the Top services as compared to telecoms services and to EU players vis-à-vis players from other economic regions.

“The forthcoming EU Council should provide policy guidance to carry out a broad review of the EU rules for the e-communications market. Today’s economic challenges can be overcome by regaining investors’ confidence in the capability of EU companies to invest at a faster pace in new services and network deployment. ETNO therefore calls upon the EU Heads of State and Governments to take action, through the launch of a wide-ranging policy review, in order for the EU to regain its leadership position in the global digital economy” said Luigi Gambardella, ETNO Executive Board Chairman

“The FT-ETNO Summit provides an excellent opportunity to discuss vision and exchange views on the regulatory approach that Europe needs to adopt. It allows all of us to assess whether the policy objectives and proposals coincide with the goal of gaining this leadership position in the global digital economy. The time has come to act in order to achieve a brighter digital future for Europe” said Daniel Pataki, ETNO Director.

ETNO highlighted the importance of establishing an open European Internet model which guarantees maximum choice for European consumers across the value chain and best-in-class levels of privacy and security. In addition, efforts must be made to build a sound policy framework to encourage entrepreneurship, including appropriate European financial measures and the participation of venture capital for the promotion of digital talent, projects and start-ups.

About ETNO
ETNO has been the voice of Europe’s telecommunications network operators since 1992 and has become the principal policy group for European electronic communications network operators. Its 50 members and observers in 35 countries collectively account for a turnover of more than € 600 billion and employ over 1.6 million people. ETNO companies are the main drivers of broadband and are committed to its continual growth in Europe. ETNO closely contributes to shaping the best regulatory and commercial environment for its members to continue rolling out innovative and high quality services and platforms for the benefit of European consumers and businesses.

For more information, please contact:
Ralph Lloyd-Davis (ETNO) Tel: +32 2 227 10 88 Email: Lloyd@etno.eu