Noticias por e-mail: Information Society Newsroom Update Weekly

Weekly Issue - 16 December 2011

Latest News

PRESS RELEASE

Commission consults on massive expansion of LED lighting in Europe

(15 December 2011) The European Commission today adopted a Green Paper and launched a public consultation on the future of LED-based lighting. LED lighting is one of the most energy-efficient and versatile forms of lighting - saving up to 70% energy and money compared to other lighting technologies. Faster LED deployment will ensure the success of Europe's lighting industry and help reduce energy use from lighting by 20% by 2020. But Europe also faces a number of challenges and more input is needed from citizens and businesses to refine the policy. To this end a consultation will run until 29 February 2012 to collect feedback on the Commission's ideas.

PRESS RELEASE

Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg invited by Kroes to promote internet freedom globally

(12 December 2011) European Commission Vice-President Neelie Kroes has invited Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg, a former Federal Minister of Defence, and of Economics and Technology, in Germany, to advise on how to provide ongoing support to Internet users, bloggers and cyber-activists living under authoritarian regimes. This appointment forms a key element of a new "No Disconnect Strategy" to uphold the EU's commitment to ensure human rights and fundamental freedoms are respected both online and off-line, and that internet and other information and communication technology (ICT) can remain a driver of political freedom, democratic development and economic growth.

PRESS RELEASE

Turning government data into gold

(12 December 2011) The Commission has launched an Open Data Strategy for Europe, which is expected to deliver a EUR 40 billion boost to the EU's economy each year. Europe's public administrations are sitting on a goldmine of unrealised economic potential: the large volumes of information collected by numerous public authorities and services. Member States such as the United Kingdom and France are already demonstrating this value. The strategy to lift performance EU-wide is three-fold: firstly the Commission will lead by example, opening its vaults of information to the public for free through a new data portal. Secondly, a level playing field for open data across the EU will be established. Finally, these new measures are backed by the EUR 100 million which will be granted in 2011-2013 to fund research into improved data-handling technologies.

NEWS ARTICLE

Almost a quarter of persons aged 16-74 in the EU27 have never used the internet

(14 December 2011) For many people today it seems difficult to live without the internet, however a decreasing, but still non-negligible, part of the EU population has never used it. In the 27 EU Member States, almost three quarters of households had access to the internet in the first quarter of 2011, compared with almost half in the first quarter of 2006. The share of households with broadband internet connections more than doubled between 2006 and 2011, to reach 68% in 2011 compared with 30% in 2006. During the same period, the share of individuals aged 16-74 in the EU27 who had never used the internet decreased from 42% to 24%.

NEWS ARTICLE

Industry calls for true Digital Single Market in recommendations on European Cloud Strategy

(14 December 2011) Industry leaders are asking the European Commission to provide for a coherent legal framework for Cloud Computing services, to help EU businesses participate in a global market forecast to reach 70 billion euros annually in 2015. The request forms part of 10 recommendations from industry regarding the future European Cloud Computing Strategy to be presented in 2012.

NEWS ARTICLE

EU Telecoms Council decision on radio spectrum opens the way for growth in the sector

(14 December 2011) The Telecoms ministers agreed on a Radio Spectrum Policy Programme (RSPP). The Decision on RSPP will create a comprehensive EU spectrum policy programme until 2015 and will complete the Single Market, particularly in line with the Europe 2020 initiative and the Digital Agenda for Europe.

EVENT ANNOUNCEMENT

FET Proactive Information Day on ICT FP7 Call 9

18 January 2012 Brussels, Belgium

During this event, information on Future and Emgerging Technologies (FET) Proactive initiatives under ICT FP7 call 9 will be provided, as well as contractual, legal and administrative modalities. In addition, the creation of consortia and synergies will be facilitated through an open exchange "Proposers Forum". Registration is free of charge but mandatory. Early registration is strongly recommended.

Contact: Roumen Borissov

NEWS ARTICLE

In 2011, almost half of all enterprises in the 27 EU Member States accessed the internet via mobile broadband

(13 December 2011) Enterprises use the internet for a variety of purposes: to present information on a website, to offer online shopping facilities to customers and to interact with public authorities. In the 27 EU Member States, 95% of enterprises had access to the internet in January 2011. The share of enterprises having a fixed broadband connection to access the internet grew slightly from 84% in 2010 to 87% in 2011. On the other hand, the use of mobile broadband connections increased significantly in the same period, from 27% to 47%.

NEWS ARTICLE

Commission consults on review of current regime for technology transfer agreements

(12 December 2011) The European Commission invites comments on the application of EU antitrust rules for the assessment of technology transfer agreements, i.e. patent, know-how and software licensing. The current regime consists of a block exemption regulation ("TTBER"), that creates a safe harbour for certain non problematic agreements, and guidelines on the application of the TTBER as well as on the assessment of agreements that fall outside the TTBER. The regime has the aim to strengthen the incentives for research and innovation, facilitate the diffusion of intellectual property and stimulate competition. The current TTBER, which entered into force in May 2004, will expire in April 2014. In light of stakeholders' submissions, the Commission will make a proposal on how to assess technology transfer agreements after the expiry of the current TTBER in April 2014.

New in the Library

REPORTS AND STUDIES

Protecting cyber space: Achieving effective cross border information exchange between Computer Emergency Response Teams

16 December 2011

The European Network and Information Security Agency (ENISA) has published a study into legal and regulatory aspects of information sharing and cross-border collaboration of national/governmental Computer Emergency Response Teams (CERTs) in Europe.

SPEECH

Neelie Kroes, Vice-President of the European Commission responsible for the Digital Agenda

Data is the new gold

Opening Remarks, Press Conference on Open Data Strategy, Brussels, 12th December 2011

SPEECH

Neelie Kroes, Vice-President of the European Commission responsible for the Digital Agenda

Using technology to support freedom

Press conference on "No disconnect Strategy", Brussels, 12 December 2011

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