Neelie Kroes

Neelie Kroes signs off from European digital role

The retiring head of the European Commission’s digital policy, Neelie Kroes, saw out her last day on Friday after five years in the role. In a farewell note, Kroes thanked everyone who “realises that Europe can be digital, wants to be digital, needs to be digital, with the determination to face a strong, dynamic future.” […]

Kroes uses swansong speech to warn of European digital divide

In her last speech as EC vice-president responsible for the digital agenda, Neelie Kroes has warned against the persistence of a Europe-wide digital divide that could hold the continent’s economy back. “I am very worried that Europe is missing large parts of the digital opportunity. I am worried that Europe will continue to stagnate, that […]

EC and data industry make €2.5 billion ‘big data’ pledge

The European Commission and Europe’s data industry have committed to invest €2.5 billion in a public-private partnership, designed to strengthen the data sector. Announcing the deal, the European Commission said that the partnership aims to “put Europe at the forefront of the global data race” and could create 100,000 new data-related jobs in Europe by […]

Lamy report on 700MHz offers limited comfort for broadcasters

The 700MHz spectrum band currently used for digital-terrestrial broadcasting in Europe should be allocated to wireless broadband use by 2020, give or take a couple of years, while broadcasters should be given regulatory security over their rights to use remaining UHF spectrum below 700MHz until 2030, according to a report presented by former EU commissioner […]

IBC and CTAM Europe EuroSummit unveil speaker highlights

Forthcoming industry conferences the IBC and CTAM Europe’s EuroSummit have unveiled strong speaker line-ups. The IBC has announced that outgoing EC vice-president and digital agenda commssioner Neelie Kroes will keynote the event on Friday September 12 at 18:00. Kroes will set out the challenges ahead including her views on the internal market for audio-visual and […]

Hungarian ad tax is “attack on democracy” says Kroes

Hungary’s new advertising tax is a politically motivated attempt to drive RTL out of the country’s market and is a threat to media freedom in the country, according to EC vice-president Neelie Kroes. In an outspoken blog post condemning the Hungarian government’s imposition of the law, which imposes a punitive tax rate on advertising on […]

EC to create European audiovisual media regulators group

The European Commission has formally established a new group of EU regulatory authorities covering audiovisual services. The group brings together he heads or high-level executives of national independent regulators bodes to advise the Commission on how to implement its Audiovisual Media Services Directive. According to the EC, the new body will help determine how to […]

New European advisory group to report on UHF spectrum for TV

Former World Trade Organisation chief Pascal Lamy has been appointed to lead a new European advisory group on the use of ultra high frequency (UHF) spectrum for TV and wireless broadband. Lamy, along with top executives from Europe’s broadcasters, network operators, mobile companies and tech associations, will make proposals to the European Commission on how […]

EC issues Spanish broadband warning

The European Commission has formally asked the Spanish telecoms regulator (CNMC) to withdraw or amend its plans to regulate the prices Telefonica can charge other operators that want to sell broadband services based on its network. The EC said it was particularly concerned that the Spanish regulator´s proposed price-setting model would result in regulated prices […]

Europe now has 100% broadband coverage

Europe has achieved 100% basic broadband coverage, one of the main goals of the Digital Agenda for Europe, the European Commission announced. Thanks to pan-EU availability of satellite broadband, every European across 28 countries can now take out a satellite subscription, including the three million people not already covered by fixed and mobile broadband networks, […]