At the beginning of May the European Commission will launch the Digital Single Market Strategy. Only a month ago, Carlos López Blanco, Global Head, Public and Regulatory Affairs, participated in a very appealing debate, together with Commissioner in charge of Digital Economy and Society, Günther Oettinger and other panelist as Cristiano RADAELLI, President of the Italian National Association of Informatics, Telecommunications and Consumer Electronics Industries (ANITEC), Mikko-Pekka HANSKI, Co-founder of Idean, Jo DEBLAERE, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Executive Officer-Europe of Accenture and Erich CLEMENTI, Senior Vice President for Sales and Distribution of IBM Europe.
Here, we want to recall for the ideas and positioning expressed during the dialogue because the message is very forceful: The digitalization is the major challenge of the European Economy. This is not about the competitiveness of telco industry but of the whole economy. Thus, it is a major political challenge that should be at the forefront of EU strategy.
Four are the pillars identified as vital to get right in the diagnosis and strategies. First of all, a robust network infrastructure as it is the backbone of the digital economy and a fundamental prerequisite to EU industry’s digitalisation. For that to happen, we absolutely need the right environment for investments. Secondly, we have to guarantee a level playing field for digital services to the extent that this is the fuel of competitive and growth of the digitalization. And, of course, we need the development of the necessary skills to enable this digital revolution. Finally, standards are key elements in the digital ecosystem and therefore Europeans should coordinate efforts including other areas of the world in order to expand the adoption of International standards.
We invite you to watch this great debate! Europe must catch this opportunity!
