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Weekly Issue - 20 April 2011

Latest News

PRESS RELEASE

Commission underlines commitment to ensure open internet principles applied in practice

(19 April 2011) The need to ensure that citizens and businesses are easily able to access an open and neutral internet has been underlined by the European Commission in a report adopted today. The Commission will be vigilant that new EU telecoms rules on transparency, quality of service and the ability to switch operator, due to enter into force on 25th May 2011, are applied in a way that ensures that these open and neutral internet principles are respected in practice. For example, the Commission will pay close attention to the existence of generalised restrictions of lawful services and applications and to EU citizens' and businesses' broadband connections being as fast as indicated by Internet Service Providers' advertising. The Commission has asked the Body of European Regulators for Electronic Communications (BEREC) to undertake a rigorous fact-finding exercise on issues crucial to ensuring an open and neutral internet, including barriers to changing operators, blocking or throttling internet traffic (e.g. voice over internet services), transparency and quality of service. The Commission will publish, by the end of the year, evidence from BEREC's investigation, including any instances of blocking or throttling certain types of traffic. If BEREC's findings and other feedback indicate outstanding problems, the Commission will assess the need for more stringent measures.

PRESS RELEASE

State aid: Commission launches public consultation on the revision of the Broadband Guidelines

(19 April 2011) The European Commission has invited stakeholders' views on the forthcoming revision of EU rules on the public financing of broadband infrastructure. The current guidelines, adopted in September 2009 provide a comprehensive framework for furthering the deployment of high and very-high speed broadband in Europe. However, fast evolving markets and rapid technological progress may require adaptations. This is why the Commission has set up a questionnaire on relevant issues, such as the development of very high speed broadband technologies or how best to design the access conditions on subsidized next generation networks. Comments should be submitted by 31 August 2011. In light of the results, the Commission will decide whether a revision of the guidelines is indicated and, in the affirmative, put forward a proposal for discussion in early 2012.

PRESS RELEASE

Children using social networks at a younger age; many unaware of basic privacy risks, says survey

(18 April 2011) 77% of 13-16 year olds and 38% of 9-12 year olds in the EU have a profile on a social networking site, according to a pan-European survey carried out for the European Commission. Yet, a quarter of children who use social networking sites like Facebook, Hyves, Tuenti, Nasza-Klasa SchuelerVZ, Hi5, Iwiw or Myvip say their profile is set to "public" meaning that everyone can see it, and many of these display their address and/or phone number. The figures highlight the importance of the European Commission's upcoming review of the implementation of the Safer Social Networking Principles for the EU. This agreement was brokered by the Commission in 2009 when major social networking companies agreed to implement measures to ensure the online safety of their under 18s users. Children's safety online is an important part of the Digital Agenda for Europe.

PRESS RELEASE

Technical rules agreed for using 4G wireless broadband devices on GSM frequencies

(18 April 2011) Technical rules on how the 900 and 1800 MHz radio frequency bands should be opened up to advanced 4th generation (4G) communication devices have just been adopted by the European Commission. The rules, which are important to avoid interference problems with existing GSM and 3G devices, are an important step to bringing wireless broadband access to more EU citizens and businesses. The Commission Decision, which must be implemented by Member States by the end of 2011, will therefore help to achieve the targets of the Digital Agenda for Europe to give every European access to basic broadband by 2013 and fast and ultra fast broadband by 2020.

PRESS RELEASE

Commission evaluates the Directive on retention of telecommunications data

(18 April 2011) Today the European Commission adopted an evaluation report of the Data Retention Directive outlining the lessons learned since its adoption in 2006. The Directive established data retention as a response to urgent security challenges, following major terrorist attacks in Madrid in 2004 and in London in 2005. The report concludes that retained telecommunications data play an important role in the protection of the public against the harm caused by serious crime. They provide vital evidence in solving crimes and ensuring justice is served. However, transposition of the Directive has been uneven and the remaining differences between the legislations of Member States create difficulties for telecommunication service providers. The Directive also does not in itself guarantee that data are stored, retrieved and used in full compliance with the right to privacy and protection of personal data, and this has led courts to annul the legislation transposing the Directive in some Member States. The Commission will now review the current data retention rules, in consultation with the police and the judiciary, industry, data protection authorities, and civil society with a view to proposing an improved legal framework.

EVENT ANNOUNCEMENT

8th European ITS Congress

6 June 2011 - 9 June 2011 Lyon, France

Under the motto "Intelligent Mobility - Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) for sustainable transport of persons and goods in urban regions", this event will highlight the importance of bringing intelligent solutions not only to urban transport, but, more generally, to the interfaces and interchanges of urban and inter-urban networks. An exhibition will show the latest European achievements in ITS.

EVENT ANNOUNCEMENT

3rd European Connected Health Leadership Summit

14 June 2011 - 15 June 2011 Brussels, Belgium

This event will bring together healthcare professionals, researchers, companies, entrepreneurs, business leaders, policy makers, health ministries and other stakeholders to discuss ways to advance the deployment and innovation of Connected Health throughout Europe. Topics to be covered include the European Digital Agenda, Innovation to Deployment, Procurement of eHealth, EU & US Collaborations, the European Innovation Partnership on active and healthy ageing and Connected Health's contribution to regional economic development.

EVENT ANNOUNCEMENT

EU-Brazil Business Dialogue- A Digital Agenda for Brazil

10 May 2011

The EUBrasil Digital Agenda Summit will bring together senior politicians, policy makers and CEOs from Europe and Brazil to discuss ways of making progress in the Digital Agenda in both geographic areas and of strengthening cooperation.

EVENT ANNOUNCEMENT

SEMIC.EU Yearly Conference 2011

18 May 2011 Brussels, Belgium

The lack of semantic interoperability remains a key obstacle to the seamless flow and exchange of data, information and services between European Member States and beyond. This one-day conference will provide an opportunity for experts from the Public Sector, Academia, Standardisation Bodies, System integrators, Software Vendors and Consultants to share their experience and knowledge with others, through presentations, networking and debate.

EVENT ANNOUNCEMENT

2nd EU-Russia Innovation Forum

25 May 2011 - 26 May 2011 Lappeenranta, Finland

The Forum aims to offer a platform for setting up cooperation projects between the EU and Russia. Best practices in innovative management through European and Russian case studies will be presented. A specific focus will be given to development and cooperation opportunities in the fields of energy efficiency and renewable energy and ICT and health. A large Business Matchmaking event, in cooperation with the European Enterprise Network (EEN) and an Innovation Exhibition will be organised in connection with the Forum. Some 300 European and Russian companies are expected to attend the event.

New in the Library

SPEECH
Neelie Kroes, European Commission Vice-President for the Digital Agenda
The internet belongs to all of us: Press conference on Net Neutrality Communication, Brussels, 19th April 2011

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