Broadband
Member states want to change investment rules in telecoms overhaul
EU countries have changed measures on network investment in a major telecoms bill and are kicking negotiations into the second half of this year.
Proximus CEO: High quality Belgian network ‘is reflected in the price’
Belgium has higher mobile phone prices than many other countries in Europe because of the high quality of its network, Dominique Leroy told EURACTIV.com. Looking forward, she said more spectrum was badly needed to cope with soaring demand for mobile data.
Thirteen member states double down on opposition to EU spectrum rules
A group of thirteen EU member states have doubled down on a pushback by national governments against the European Commission's proposed changes to radio spectrum policy, arguing it will sweep away their powers to auction off spectrum to telecoms operators.
Network quality vital for Europe’s move to ‘Gigabit Society’
While capacity and speed will always be important, European companies need networks that are exceptionally reliable and adaptable to launch new technologies across Europe, writes Richard Swinford.
Europe’s digital union is stuck in Brussels
A draft EU telecoms law could cause major economic growth and create jobs, but there is a high risk it could be diluted by the Brussels compromise machine, write Steven Tas and Lise Fuhr.
Your imagination is tomorrow’s innovation
Digital technologies and communication have the potential to uphold a strong and dynamic internal market fit for the digital age, ultimately making every European citizen’s life much better, writes Antonio López-Istúriz.
In Barcelona, cutting-edge technologies struggle to demonstrate their potential
As the Mobile World Congress continued, the "father" of Li-Fi said his LED-based wireless connection technology deserves EU support, while Blockchain developers defended the positive impact of the public ledger on society at large.
EU calls for greater industry involvement in 5G
The European Commission this week will urge EU member states and the private sector to get more involved in the development of the next generation of broadband networks enabling the digital revolution, as the World Mobile Congress opens in Barcelona.
EU strikes tentative deal on 700 MHz band for mobile internet
The Slovak Presidency, which made bringing “deliverables” to EU citizens one of its priorities, reached an informal agreement with the European Parliament on the coordinated use of a key frequency band that will allow the introduction of 5G as of 2020.
Fibre-powered value to European consumers
Overall spending on telecommunications is a fraction of consumer spending.
Cable is connecting Europe with Gigabit speeds
Cable broadband networks reach over half of European households, offering the single largest NGA network in Europe.
The CAP and the Digital Single Market
Internet connectivity has become vital to modern agriculture.
![Margrethe Vestager [Commission]](https://www.euractiv.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2015/11/vestager_blue_background.jpeg)
EU approves France’s scheme for very high speed broadband
European Union antitrust regulators today (7 November) approved France's €13 billion scheme to roll out very high speed broadband across the country, saying it did not unduly distort competition.
EU farmers dream of the digital age
Europe's farmers are beginning to embrace new technologies. But poor internet connections and the high cost of new digital tools can be discouraging. EURACTIV reports.
Commission wants fast internet in schools to fix digital illiteracy problem
The European Commission has been coaxing EU countries to improve technology education in an effort to cut unemployment and help companies as they rely more on internet-connected programmes and machines.
Europe in the great new age of communication
Regulation can improve the competitive environment and give consumers a better deal, but the EU’s proposal to enforce “neutrality” on internet platforms does the opposite, argues Diego Zuluaga.
Pokémon’s Pikachu the ‘man of the year’ in telecoms
Pikachu is the man of the year in telecoms, according to the watchdog next in line to chair a powerful group of EU regulators.
EU countries want legal change for driverless cars – but they’ll have to wait
Driverless cars have figured into several EU policy plans lately, as politicians have advocated for speeding up work on the technology to stop countries like the United States from having a leg up on European auto manufacturers.
How Oettinger surprised Brussels
Günther Oettinger has faced ridicule for his handling of EU tech policy since he took the job two years ago. But the digital Commissioner is finally getting some credit, and winning praise from some corners for a major overhaul of telecoms law.
Free Wi-Fi in cities? ‘We panicked for five minutes. Then we realised it’s not serious’
Telecoms companies were as surprised as anyone when Jean-Claude Juncker announced Wednesday (14 September) that the European Commission wants every city and village in the EU to have free public Wi-Fi in some places by 2020.
New telecoms rules mark ‘quiet revolution’ as Commission aims to boost internet speed
A set of EU telecoms laws will be remodelled when the European Commission proposes an overhaul today (14 September) of how the sector is governed.
New telecoms rules: bringing Europe’s internet up to speed?
The European Commission proposed changes to laws governing telecoms service in September 2016 that will affect how people use the internet and phones around the EU. There's a lot at stake for consumers, former state-owned monopolies and emerging service providers: the new rules will shake up internet quality, competition between firms, user rights and the powers …
Steven Tas, ETNO EB Chair – A new Digital Union
We have to substantially reform our European policies for digital networks and services. Small changes will not be enough.
Failed rocket was carrying Facebook satellite to give Africa the Internet
The space rocket which exploded before take-off yesterday (1 September) was carrying a satellite Facebook intended to use to connect sub-Saharan Africa to the internet.