The age of zero trust: Spies and spied upon

I have noticed being troubled by the implications of this ground zero of trust for the Internet economy. If the Internet returns to a mental Stone Age of zero trust, what is going to happen to us and our economies? Read The age of zero trust: Spies and spied upon.

Ultra-fast Internet, mobile services and roaming in EU

After the EU Digital Agenda Scoreboard SWD(2013) 217 in a nutshell and a look at the fragmented and contracting telecoms markets in Europe, we steam ahead to the second annex chapter about fast and ultra-fast Internet access (from page 43). - I pick and choose a few figures. Read Ultra-fast Internet, mobile services and roaming in EU.

Variations on a telecommunications regulation theme

The ouverture presents the theme. In the blog entry ECTA and ETNO lobbying – the sequel I mentioned the Financial Times article by Daniel Thomas and James Fontanella-Khan: Telecoms chiefs urge rethink of reforms (€). Read Variations on a telecommunications regulation theme.

ECTA and ETNO lobbying – the sequel

How do you think telecommunications lobbying in Brussels AD 2013 serves the public? Read ECTA and ETNO lobbying – the sequel.

ECTA and ETNO shadow boxing on telecoms single market

Let us turn to the public information (and communication practices) of two major telco industry interest groups. Read ECTA and ETNO shadow boxing on telecoms single market.

Telecoms single market outlined

At the Digital Agenda Assembly (DAA) in Dublin, 20 June 2013, Kroes sang the praise of progress with the Digital Agenda for Europe (DAE) before concentrating minds on unfinished business, the proposal promised for the telecoms single market. Read Telecoms single market outlined.

EU telecommunications market proposal

Commission vice-president Neelie Kroes has promised an EU telecommunications market proposal in September. Read EU telecommunications market proposal.

Fragmented and contracting telecoms services in Europe

Markets in the United States and South East Asia are rising, but Europe is falling behind. Are the European leaders prepared to act quickly and decisively to get our continent back on a growth path? Read Fragmented and contracting telecoms services in Europe.

EU Digital Agenda Scoreboard 2013 in a nutshell

Dear fellow citizens of #Neuland, I wish you happy reading and a brighter future. Read EU Digital Agenda Scoreboard 2013 in a nutshell.

Merkel in #Neuland – Where are the digital natives?

The digital natives have (deservedly) had some fun, but are we going to see more of the discussion Jon Worth started by asking questions and enlightening the politicians necessary for both market reforms and Internet regulation in Europe? Read Merkel in #Neuland – Where are the digital natives?

Creative and competitive Europe? Digital Agenda Assembly 2013 opens

Is Europe too defensively anchored in the past, as sketched in the entry #jesuisreactionnaire joins Colbert 2.0, or can enough creative people seize the offensive opportunites in a competitive digital world, as on offer in the public consultation about television and the Internet (connected devices)? Read Creative and competitive Europe? Digital Agenda Assembly 2013 opens.

Neelie Kroes on Digital Agenda for Europe

While following the #DA13 Twitter stream, I look at some of the themes Kroes has dealt with in her latest speeches. Read Neelie Kroes on Digital Agenda for Europe.

#jesuisreactionnaire joins Colbert 2.0

France abounds with great ideas – for earlier centuries. But it makes it harder for the rest of the European Union to become fit for the global era. Read #jesuisreactionnaire joins Colbert 2.0.

Connected devices and TV in EU media policy

Perhaps a few more Europeans should ask why the great Internet, information technology and entertainment firms are American. In principle Europe should offer a seamless home market of 510 million citizens and consumers through the European Economic Area (EEA). Read Connected devices and TV in EU media policy.

A WMD called Nicole Bricq

Giving one country an EU veto is like providing it with a weapon of mass destruction, here directed by France against growth and jobs in the whole union. You don't even need to argue if you keep repeating: non, non, non, non ! Read A WMD called Nicole Bricq.

A democratic federation of citizens

There has to be a better future for the citizens of the EU. This is the reason for the open letter from Mathias Darmell and other concerned citizens to EU leaders for profound democratic reform. Read A democratic federation of citizens.

Hollande saving us from capitalism, growth and jobs

We saw that the European Parliament voted for the exclusion of cultural and audiovisual services, including those provided online, to be clearly stated in the negotiating mandate for the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP). France is the main proponent of this fendamentalist approach to growth sectors, not limited to safeguarding cultural diversity. Read Hollande saving us from capitalism, growth and jobs.

TTIP and audiovisual services

I decided to take a closer look at the plenary debate and the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) vote in the European Parliament with regard to audiovisual services. Read TTIP and audiovisual services.

European Parliament: Complete the digital single market!

On the agenda of the Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection (IMCO) of the European Parliament 17-18 June 2013 we see that the committee is going to consider amendments and compromise amendments to the draft motion for a resolution on the digital single market. Read European Parliament: Complete the digital single market!

Kroes promises single telecoms market initiative

In these gloomy times there is at least one area where national and EU politicians could do something popular, while kick-starting growth and job creation for added brownie points. Tearing down barriers does not even tax public budgets much, but new activity could bring in new revenue. Read Kroes promises single telecoms market initiative.

All quiet on EU telecommunications front

Can there ever be a real EU single telecommunications market, a digital single market or, indeed, a seamless and comprehensive single market (with corresponding international free trade, including the TTIP with the USA and the FTA with Japan), if France and other protectionistic member states block progress and carve out widening exceptions regarding the free movement of goods, persons, services and capital in the most dynamic sectors? Read All quiet on EU telecommunications front.

French veto threatens free trade

Hopes for economic growth and new jobs in Europe are pinned on international trade and a seamless single market in digital and other services, including telecommunications. The external and internal aspects are merging, because of global value chains, but veto powers can leave the EU even farther behind in dynamic business sectors. Read French veto threatens free trade.

Market and language phobias: France

Can there ever be a real EU single telecommunications market, a digital single market or, indeed, a seamless and comprehensive single market (with corresponding international free trade, including the TTIP with the USA), if France and other protectionistic member states block progress and carve out wider exceptions regarding the free movement of goods, persons, services and capital? Read Market and language phobias: France.

Can there be a digital single market with France?

There won't be much of a digital single market in the European Union (nor much free trade online) without the political will of the member states. France has been so busy lately that we can only scratch the surface in one blog post. Read Can there be a digital single market with France?

To be or not to be? EU single telecommunications market

Thursday, 6 June 2013, the telecommunication ministers of the EU member states convene in Luxembourg to make their contribution for a return to competitiveness, growth and the creation of new jobs in Europe. Read To be or not to be? EU single telecommunications market.

Cameron cracks down on tax evasion

Aren't you astonished to find the British prime minister selectively calling for more effective EU action, instead of praising 'freely cooperating sovereign nation states' (unanimity) and Hague's proposed extension of obstacles and vetoes to the level of national parliaments in a matter so close to taxation, when the 'selfish actions' originate in other EU member states? Read Cameron cracks down on tax evasion.

'Red card' disembowels EU and democracy

Yesterday we saw the UK foreign secretary William Hague at work to de-legitimise the European Parliament and reject European level democracy, even if the British constitutional and political system is hardly a modern day model for developed nations: Another plague from vague Hague. The Danish MEP candidate Karen Melchior reminds us that already Yes, Europe has a demos!, which discusses political subjects without regard to national boundaries. Read 'Red card' disembowels EU and democracy.

Another plague from vague Hague

The ongoing review of the balance of competences between the United Kingdom and the European Union is supposed to define how fully Britain is going to cut its moorings, but the foreign secretary William Hague has hastened to reject empowering the European Parliament and the citizens of the EU. Read Another plague from vague Hague.

EU internal market and industry update

The EU Competitiveness Council was overshadowed by the country-specific recommendations from the European Commission and its infringement package, political agreement on the common fisheries policy and Schengen, as well as the meeting between chancellor Angela Merkel and president François Hollande. For European businesses the Competitiveness Council offers an update closer to the strategic and operational issues they face. Read EU internal market and industry update.