CEOs call for boost to mobile communications research
Mobile communications research needs to be boosted and the setting of standards improved if Europe is to harness the full potential of 3G technology to deliver growth, according to a new industry-led report into the future of the mobile sector. Some 14 leading mobile operators, equipment manufacturers and content providers cooperated on the formulation of the report, which is designed to be a prioritised set of industry recommendations on how Europe can best sustain the rollout of mobile networks. EU Commissioner for Enterprise and the Information Society, Erkki Liikanen, established the group, known as the 'mobile communications and technology platform', last October. Mr Liikanen welcomed the group's report: 'This platform has worked well. Its report comes at a time when there are clear signs that the sector has turned the corner with reducing debt burdens, improved credit ratings and 3G launches now underway. I believe the CEOs' recommendations can provide a sound basis for growth.' One of the points emphasised in the report is the importance of boosting research and development in mobile communications. The CEO group commits itself to preparing a strategic research agenda for a future 'wireless world' in order to have an influence on the development of the EU's Seventh Framework Programme for research. The potential for the mobile industry to develop productivity improvements, stronger growth, investment and new jobs is also emphasised in the report. The CEOs foresee a customer-focused environment with rich content and a variety of applications. Easy to use smart devices with broadband capability will be important, as well as multiple delivery channels. Future mobile networks and services will build confidence by offering greater security than the Internet offers today, according to the CEOs. However, improvements are needed to the way that standards are set and interoperability is achieved. There is also a need for stronger international cooperation and a new regulatory framework for electronic communications that will support the development of mobile services. The mobile communications and technology platform comprises a range of industrial players, from Alcatel and Bertelsmann to Vivendi Universal and the Vodafone group.