Broadband
EIB official: €200 billion needed to build broadband infrastructure in EU rural areas
In order for citizens in Europe’s rural areas to have broadband access to at least 100 megabits per second, approximately €200 billion will be needed, according to Harald Gruber from the European Investment Bank (EIB).
SpaceX’s historic launch gives Europe pause for thought
Elon Musk’s company’s success in becoming the first private venture to launch humans into space prompted the head of Europe’s SpaceX-equivalent, Arianespace, to claim on Sunday (31 May) that his firm is capable of the same feat.
German-German dispute over fibre optic funding to be decided in Brussels
The European Commission is examining German plans to support the fibre optic industry. The Christian Democrat (CDU/CSU) parliamentary group asked for early approval, while the fixed network industry association BREKO is opposed to the measures. EURACTIV Germany has seen both letters.
Huawei official: 5G is a ‘historic’ opportunity for Greece and Cyprus
There is a “historic” opportunity for Greece and Cyprus to take the lead in the rollout of 5G technology in southeastern Europe, a Huawei official has told EURACTIV.com.OpinionPromoted content
Why Europe and Huawei need to stick together
Europe and Huawei have a lot in common, and it is in our shared interest to join hands as we step into the digital age, writes Abraham Liu.
Bridging the EU’s broadband divides: The importance of trust and security
The EU has long been plighted by patchy broadband coverage, so much so that previous Commission targets set out for 2020 were put to bed last year by the European Court of Auditors. But could 2019 prove to be a tipping point in the bloc's connectivity potentials?
Delays in equipping classroom 4.0 in Germany
In order to make society fit for digitisation, its youngest members should be equipped with digital skills. The German government is promoting its “Digital Pact for Schools,” for which the government will provide €5 billion, according to the coalition agreement. But to date, not a cent has changed hands. EURACTIV Germany reports.
Pressure on Commission ahead of decision on connected car technology
Pressure is mounting on the European Commission ahead of a decision it is expected to announce this autumn that will affect how internet-connected cars are built in Europe.
EU caps price of international phone calls in landmark telecoms overhaul
Lawmakers agreed to cap the price of phone calls and SMS messages between EU countries and sealed a deal to encourage investment in fast internet networks during a late-night meeting on Wednesday (6 June).
Germany only in the mid-range of digitalisation, EU index shows
As the European Commission pushes forward with digitalisation policies, its DESI-index is meant to measure how digital individual member states already are. Germany, however, is only in the midfield. EURACTIV Germany reports.
Brussels pivots on controversial investment clause in EU telecoms bill
The European Commission has proposed new criteria to guide investment in telecoms networks, in a twist that is likely to stir disagreement as EU negotiators try to strike compromise over a draft telecoms bill.
EU cybersecurity boss eyes hardware as early target for certification plans
A draft bill to set up an EU system certifying the cybersecurity level of tech products is still trapped up in negotiations after the European Commission announced the overhaul last September.
EU’s 5G hopes at stake over disagreement on radio spectrum
Much of the Brussels policy crowd visiting this year's Mobile World Congress in Barcelona headed home early to monitor, lobby or take part in another round of tense negotiations over a draft EU telecoms law that is taking place on Wednesday and Thursday (28 February-1March).
Trump’s telecoms regulator: the EU’s ‘complexity’ may cause challenges for 5G
A lot of the debate around net neutrality comes from misinformation but "this baseless fearmongering will simply lose credibility" once it becomes clear that the internet economy has continued to thrive, US telecoms regulator Ajit Pai told EURACTIV on the sidelines of the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona.
Tensions over net neutrality shake up Mobile World Congress
Sparks flew at a public discussion over net neutrality at one of the world’s biggest tech conferences on Monday (27 February), as EU tech chief Andrus Ansip defended the bloc’s two-year-old legislation while sharing a stage with the American regulator who just repealed a similar US law.
Mobile World Congress: Europe rushes to keep pace on connectivity
The EU is racing to make the superfast 5G mobile technology available for consumers by 2025, but is lagging behind faster competitors in Asia and the US.
Conservative MEPs ask Merkel to reverse telecoms talks in coalition negotiation
Eight German conservative MEPs have written to Chancellor Angela Merkel to complain about a controversial telecoms investment plan, which crept into coalition talks this week between Christian Democrats and Social Democrats.
German SPD pushes for looser telecoms rules in coalition deal
German Social Democrats want to guarantee looser regulation of telecoms giants as part of a potential coalition plan to govern with Christian Democrats.
EU telecoms regulator warns US proposal on 5G would ‘end in disaster’
A proposal from the Trump administration to build public-funded 5G networks will “end in disaster”, the EU’s top telecoms regulator has warned, urging Europe to speed up plans for its own fast internet networks.
Bulgaria makes telecoms overhaul a focus during Council presidency
Bulgaria will focus its attention on speeding up negotiations on a major telecoms bill when it takes over the six-month, rotating presidency of the Council of ministers in January.
Telecoms ministers snub Commission’s spectrum overhaul in 5G strategy
Telecoms ministers from EU countries agreed on a plan to set up fast 5G internet networks by 2025, five years after the European Commission's original proposal, and snubbed a proposal to reform rules for selling off radio spectrum.
Hogan pleased with Greek efforts to close ‘digital gap’ in rural areas
EU Agriculture Commissioner Phil Hogan is satisfied with the Greek government’s push for rural broadband, claiming that it will help farmers increase production.
Bulgarian MEPs discuss EU’s future, dissect Juncker, Macron speeches
The European Movement and the Union of European Federalists held a discussion on Friday (13 October) in Sofia on the EU’s future with three prominent Bulgarian MEPs from three different political forces.