Digital Agenda for Europe Newsroom Update Weekly - 17/10/2013

Weekly Issue - 17 October 2013 Latest News PRESS RELEASE 100% basic broadband coverage achieved across Europe - EU target achieved ahead of schedule. Next stop is fast broadband for all. (17 October 2013) Every EU household can now have a basic broadband connection, thanks to pan-EU availability of satellite broadband. Satellite connections are now available in all 28 countries meaning every European can take out a satellite subscription, including the three million people not already covered by fixed and mobile broadband networks. PRESS RELEASE European Electronics companies set to invest EUR 100 billion; create 250.000 jobs; and double European computer chip production by 2020. (16 October 2013) A newly formed group of Electronics CEOs met today to begin a new push to put Europe on the leading edge in the design and manufacturing of micro- and nano-electronics. PRESS RELEASE What does the Commission mean by secure Cloud computing services in Europe? (15 October 2013) Europe should aim to be the world's leading 'trusted cloud region'.  Widespread adoption of cloud computing is essential for improving productivity levels in the European economy; but the spread of cloud could slow in light of recent revelations about PRISM and other surveillance programmes. These surveillance revelations have also led to calls for national or regional cloud computing initiatives. PRESS RELEASE European Commission urges Estonian regulator to withdraw broadband wholesale fees proposal (14 October 2013) The European Commission has requested the Estonian telecoms regulator (ECA) to withdraw its proposal for calculating regulated fees which the dominant operator, Elion Ettevoted AS, can charge other operators to use its broadband infrastructure. PRESS RELEASE European companies and regional leaders agree on Action Plan to make Europe's cities smarter (14 October 2013) For more than 75% of EU citizens their city is their home - it is where they mostly live, work, and play. Cities are the major source of European economic activity and of innovation. But the global economy is developing and changing fast and European cities need to rise to new challenges and develop and improve. Our cities are also a major source of greenhouse gases and local pollution and we need concerted action to put this right. We can and we should make cities better places to live and to work in. Our cities can become cleaner and healthier and use less energy. They can be Smart Cities. The European Commission is expected to invest around EUR 200m to create Smart Cities in the next two years. New in the Library SPEECH Neelie Kroes, Vice-President of the European Commission responsible for the Digital Agenda Every European digital on a connected continent "Broadband for All" European Satellite Operators Association (ESOA) event , Brussels, 17 October SPEECH Neelie Kroes, Vice-President of the European Commission responsible for the Digital Agenda A connected continent for European competitiveness BusinessEurope Executive Committee, Brussels, 17 October 2013 Profile | Digital Agenda for Europe Newsroom | Portal | Contacts |  Digital Agenda on Blog