9 February 2010

BRUSSELS – ETNO welcomes today’s European Parliament vote on the new Barroso Commission at a time when Europe urgently needs a bold strategy to further boost economic recovery and generate growth and jobs.

“As the voice of leading telecoms operators and the main investors in tomorrow’s networks and services, ETNO looks forward to closely cooperating with the new Commission -- and in particular with Commissioner Kroes -- to achieve Europe’s Digital Agenda”, says Michael Bartholomew, ETNO Director.

ETNO welcomes the creation of a Digital Agenda portfolio within the new Commission, reflecting the importance of the sector for the economy and society as a whole. Digital networks and services will continue to be essential drivers of growth, jobs and social welfare and should therefore underpin the forthcoming EU 2020 strategy. 

New high-speed broadband networks can potentially generate additional economic activity worth ?850 billion and create up to one million new jobs by 2015. Broadband-enabled services can help reducing CO2 emissions by 15% by 2020.

ETNO member companies will continue to play their part in achieving these objectives by investing in high-speed networks and developing innovative services for consumers.

For Europe to fully benefit from high-speed broadband networks and services, the most appropriate conditions for private investment in new infrastructures must be in place, taking into account investment and commercial risks, while maintaining today’s vivid competition on markets. Concrete demand-side measures should also be taken to stimulate all sectors of the economy to embrace broadband usage.

ETNO looks forward to co-operating with the new Commission with the aim of ensuring that all citizens participate in the information society and improve the single market for attractive, legal online content offerings.

For more information, please contact: Thierry Dieu, ETNO Communications Manager

Tel:    (32-2) 219 32 42 Fax:  (32-2) 219 64 12 E-mail: dieu@etno.be

ETNO’s 41 member companies from 35 European countries represent a significant part of total ICT activity in Europe. They account for an aggregate annual turnover of more than ?250 billion and employ over one million people across Europe. ETNO companies are the main drivers of broadband and are committed to its continual growth in Europe.