European Commission plans first cautious step toward a Digital Single Market

Vice-President Ansip and Commissioner Oettinger today presented the European Commission's plans for the Digital Single Market. This Communication unveils the European Commission's digital strategy for the following years. The European Commission focuses on three main areas for action:

1. Providing better access to online goods and services across Europe by eliminating the barriers for cross-border online activities.
2. Allowing digital networks and services to flourish by creating the right conditions such as an ultrafast, secure and reliable infrastructure, fair competition and a level playing field.
3. Maximising the growth potential of the European digital economy by investing in ICT infrastructure, cloud computing and big data research.

Guts and ambition needed

A couple of weeks ago, the federal government already presented Digital Belgium, the digital strategy to turn Belgium into a digital centre of excellence. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Digital Agenda and Telecom, Alexander De Croo, is glad that the European Commission has now also unveiled its digital plans.

“Digital society offers great opportunities. The digital revolution results in breakthroughs across society, from health care to low-tech sectors such as the taxi industry. To grab these opportunities, we needs guts and ambition, in Belgium, but also in Europe. The European Commission's plans are a first cautious step in the right direction. But if we really want to get the digital society in Europe up to cruising speed, rapid action is needed. Europa strongly needs a start-up mentality,” says Alexander De Croo.

Market of 500 million people

The European Commission's plan contains some good elements, believes Alexander De Croo. Commissioners Oettinger and Ansip have focused strongly on cross-border e-commerce by harmonising and simplifying rules.

“For Belgian SMEs who want to make the step to e-commerce, this is crucial. SMEs often only target the domestic market of 11 million people because the rules in the 28 member states are so different. The greater the market in which SMEs can be active online, the more opportunities for growth and jobs. With a domestic market of more than 500 million people, Europe really needs to make a difference.”

Minister of Digital Agenda and Telecom, Alexander De Croo, supports the European Commission's attention for digital security and digital government, two pillars that can also be found in Digital Belgium. The European Commission also want to apply the ‘only once’ principle between member states.

Not enough attention for start-ups and innovation

Nevertheless, Minister of Digital Agenda and Telecom, Alexander De Croo, is still missing a number of crucial elements in the Communication of the European Commission.

“There is scant attention for the important role of start-ups and digital entrepreneurship. More and more young people want to change the world through technology. Start-ups are the laboratories where young entrepreneurs shape the new economy. The European Commission should not close its eyes for the strength of start-ups, they are the fuel of the digital economy.”

The importance of digital skills has been neglected in Europe’s digital plans. The Digital Single Market can only work if we also invest in digital skills. Successful technological innovation is only possible today in Europe if we train tomorrow's engineers.

And finally the Commission is right in researching the role of online platforms in more detail but it is not clear how exactly they intend to go about this. The Commission seems to be more in favour of regulating rather than stimulating. According to Minister De Croo it is indeed important to guarantee fair competition in the context of e-commerce platforms, app stores or when new players such as Uber or Airbnb enter a traditional market. But he warns there is no ‘one-size-fits-all’ solution. “The focus has to be on how we can implement these innovative models instead of making it more difficult,” says the Minister.

Strong ally

“Belgium is on the European Commission’s side to go up a gear and turn the Digital Single Market into a success. Over the coming years, the digital revolution will be one of the strongest engines of growth, jobs and health and safety. Europe must seize these opportunities,” concludes Minister of Digital Agenda and Telecom, Alexander De Croo.