Liikanen calls for public policy to 'go further' in boosting broadband take-up
European public policy actors have a key role to play in exploiting the full potential of broadband Internet in the EU, according to Enterprise and Information Society Commissioner, Erkki Liikanen. Speaking at a conference of the European Cable communications association in Brussels on 27 May, Commissioner Liikanen, said the EU must exploit continued progress in broadband technologies in order to benefit from the improved economic productivity and quality of life it can bring. Broadband provides 'permanent-on' Internet access and allows users to enjoy richer content and a wider range of access platforms, such as 3G mobile phones and interactive digital TV, he explained. 'To increase productivity and improve the quality of life of Europeans, we must ensure that the use of broadband translates effectively into economic activity. For this, it is essential to change mindsets, re-organise businesses and bring these technologies into everybody's daily life,' he said. Commissioner Liikanen said public policy has a key role to play in stimulating broadband demand and helping to achieve a critical mass of users, by requiring schools and hospitals to connect, for example. But Mr Liikanen also called for governments to go a stage further by taking action to boost digital inclusion by promoting broadband Internet access through digital TV and mobile phones and by using their leverage as large holders and producers of content to help stimulate new content and applications. He said public policy can help to realise the benefits of e-business by promoting SME (small and medium sized enterprises) take-up and increasing the competitiveness of European enterprises through investment in digital technologies and human resources, and by taking action to increase network security. Mr Liikanen said the Commission's new eEurope 2005 action plan will help to stimulate the development of applications and content and boost infrastructure deployment in the EU.