Radio spectrum
Digital skills and 5G centre stage as precision farming vies to enter mainstream
Farmers, digital experts and representatives from the agricultural technology industry joined forces in Brussels on Thursday (12 October) to urge policymakers to bring precision farming into the mainstream in the EU.
Big member states are dividing the EU on digital agenda
Four countries - Germany, France, Italy and Spain - drafted a paper outlining their priorities ahead of last Friday’s (29 September) digital summit, where heads of state gathered in Estonia. Poland’s Digital Minister Krzysztof Szubert told EURACTIV.com their paper risks dividing EU member states on digital issues.
MEPs and ministers hit back on EU plan for longer spectrum licenses
MEPs and national ministers are stripping down an EU proposal to change how wireless radio spectrum is sold to telecoms companies.
Gabriel breezes through cozy hearing on way to top EU digital job
Mariya Gabriel, the 38-year-old Bulgarian MEP tipped to become the new EU digital chief, told MEPs during her approval hearing that she wants to “comply” with the European Commission's policy priorities.
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.
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.
After botched first attempt, Commission proposes new roaming bill with no time limit
In a bid to save face after a wave of outrage following a botched first attempt earlier this month, the European Commission proposed a new bill today (22 September) to get rid of mobile roaming charges by next year.
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 …
Telecoms operators will face new rules on competition with rivals
Telecoms companies will face new rules on how they can access internet networks under a change to EU law that could stoke tensions between large, former monopolies and smaller operators.
Broadband internet access will become a legal right under new EU telecoms rules
The European Commission is setting itself up for a fight with national governments by forcing them to pay for guaranteed internet access across the EU and comply with new rules on radio spectrum sales, according to an internal document obtained by EURACTIV.com.
Leak: Commission to propose boosting telecoms competition and new internet speed target
The European Commission wants internet download speeds to reach 100 megabits per second by 2025 and calls for more public funds to build faster networks, according to a leaked document obtained by EURACTIV.com.
Commission asked to fund cross-border tests of driverless cars
Telecoms operators and car manufacturers have asked the European Commission to put money into a major, four-year project running driverless cars between EU member states, in the first test of the new technology between more than one country.
Member states support spectrum shake-up for mobile internet
The Council endorsed on Thursday (26 June) the European Commission’s proposal to liberate the 700 MHz frequency by 30 June 2020, in time for the irruption of the next generation of wireless broadband (5G).
Major reshuffle planned at Commission’s DG Connect
The European Commission will reshuffle its digital policy department DG Connect this summer, according to a leaked plan obtained by EURACTIV.com.
Commission’s digital single market turns one and has a big seven months ahead
The European Commission's digital single market strategy turns one year old today. With seven months left in the 16-point policy plan, the executive has only scratched the surface.
Oettinger: Privacy Shield should take effect in June
The Privacy Shield data transfer agreement with the US could go into effect this June, EU Digital Commissioner Günther Oettinger said yesterday (14 March).
Think tankers: Skype and telcos should be regulated in the same way
The EU should have just two sets of rules for telecoms: one for infrastructure, and one for services, argue Alexandre de Streel and Bruno Liebhaberg. When similar services are on offer, the same rules should apply regardless of the technology, they contend.
Ansip: ‘I am strongly against any backdoor to encrypted systems’
Exclusive / European Commission Vice-President Andrus Ansip supports Apple’s decision to refuse unblocking the iPhone of a terrorist, as requested by US authorities.