The European Union on Wednesday outlined its strategy for establishing a digital single market, but admitted it will not be easy.
Brussels has identified three areas on which to focus: improving access to digital goods and services; fostering the deployment of new networks; and c reating a digital economy built on standardised, interoperable platforms.
"Let us do away with all those fences and walls that block us online," said a statement from Andrus Ansip, vice president for the digital single market, who warned that too many online services are constrained by national borders.
The EU is looking into a number of ways to boost cross-border activity such as modernising copyright law and simplifying tax rules to encourage smaller companies to open up shop in more countries.
The Commission also wants member states to coordinate the release of more spectrum for mobile services, and to improve trust in online services by making consumers more aware of how their personal data is used.
In addition, the EU wants to foster greater use of big data and cloud computing for online services, and to ensure that citizens have the digital skills required to take advantage of them.
"Europe cannot be at the forefront of the digital revolution with a patchwork of 28 different rules for telecommunications services, copyright, IT security and data protection. We need a European market, which allows new business models to flourish, start-ups to grow and the industry to take advantage of the internet of things," said Günther Oettinger, digital economy commissioner.
"Innovative businesses must be helped to grow across the EU, not remain locked into their home market," added Ansip. "This will be an uphill struggle all the way, but we need an ambitious start. Europe should benefit fully from the digital age: better services, more participation and new jobs."
