Europe’s €700bn ICT industry calls on govts to get digital
18th February 2010
Broadband-based innovation has the potential to create up to 1 million new jobs and generate additional economic activity worth €849 billion, groups representing Europe’s six million-strong ICT industry have told European governments.
The organisations representing Europe’s ICT industries, which have revenues of €700 billion and employ 6 million people, have called on EU leaders to enable business and society to fully benefit from ICT in terms of productivity, social welfare and sustainability.
In an unprecedented move, industry representatives worked under the guidance of former EP president Enrique Baron Crespo - appointed by the Spanish State Secretariat as co-ordinator of the joint industry initiative - to deliver a series of collaborative recommendations for the Spanish Presidency Digital Europe Strategy and the new commission’s Digital Agenda.
Participating EU ICT associations are the Business Software Alliance (BSA), Cable Europe, DIGITALEUROPE, EDIMA, ECTA, ESOA, ETNO, EuroISPA and GSMA. The following Spanish ICT associations also actively contributed to the process: AETIC, ASIMELEC, ASTEL and Redtel.
“Already accounting for more than 40pc of the productivity growth, ICT will not only play a key role in accelerating Europe’s economic recovery but also its ability to move forward into the future,” says Crespo.
What may be possible with broadband-based innovation
Broadband-based innovation has the potential to create up to 1 million new jobs and generate additional economic activity worth €849 billion.
The application and diffusion of ICT has the potential to reduce CO2 emissions by 15pc, thereby contributing to Europe’s ambitious climate-change objectives.
“Europe’s future competitiveness will depend to a large extent on its ability to facilitate widespread take-up of ICT in both the public and private sectors.
"For industry, this initiative is a public recognition by the Spanish presidency of the sector's key contribution to economic regeneration. For the sector to play its role, we call on the commission and member states to prioritise measures that will expand the development of ICT services, products and networks throughout Europe,” jointly declared the trade associations.
The joint industry paper unveiled today identifies seven key areas in which urgent action is needed in order for Europe to fully reap the benefits of ICT: productivity and growth; sustainability; creative content in the digital world; trust; participation for all, trade/market access; and reduction in administrative burdens.
“Deployed properly, ICTs and broadband services and networks can help reduce CO2 emissions, improve delivery of public services to all, create jobs and enhance Europe’s ability to compete in the global market place”, added Crespo.
By John Kennedy
Photo: Broadband-based innovation may create up to 1 million jobs and generate economic activity worth €849 billion, groups representing Europe's ICT industry have told European governments
