Connectivity targets still feature, but greater emphasis is being placed on skills and demand-side initiatives
A Digital Compass pointing in four directions: On Tuesday, the European Commission announced its vision for a ‘digital Europe’ by 2030, setting targets to replace the Digital Agenda for 2020. The EC is drawing a ‘Digital Compass’ to show the way in four different areas – Skills, Infrastructures, Business, and Government. This aims to ensure that, alongside connectivity, the EU embraces a process of digital transformation for businesses (75% to be using AI, Cloud computing, big data by 2030) and for citizens (80% of adults to have at least basic digital skills, and 20m to be employed as ICT specialists by 2030). By the same year, all key public services should be available online, and all citizens should have access to their medical records online. There’s even an ambition for 80% of citizens to be using electronic ID solutions.
Connectivity targets are achievable, but there is no time to waste for some member states: The Digital Compass sets the ambition to provide all households with gigabit-capable connectivity, and to cover all populated areas with 5G. At a first glance, these objectives appear to be achievable. Gigabit coverage stood at 59% of households in 2020, meaning that there are nine years to cover the remaining 41%. With regard to 5G, the EC estimates that coverage of populated areas currently stands at 14%, and based on how coverage of previous technologies grew over the years, it is possible that coverage will pick up pace. However, work will be needed to accelerate gigabit coverage in those countries that are lagging behind, and there is no time to waste in hitting the ground running particularly with 5G, which only recently became available in most EU countries.
Operators stress the importance of demand-side policies: The telecoms industry reacted in a broadly positive way to the objectives, but warned about the need to have supportive policies in place. In particular, there need to be demand-side policies, so that EU citizens and businesses can fully exploit the potential of high-speed connectivity. Lack of demand has often been seen as a barrier to the adoption of faster broadband, which is why work on citizens’ digital skills and digital transformation of businesses will be so crucial.
Source: https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/IP_21_983
