Wednesday, March 02, 2011

Europe - EC has warned about delays from creaking ICT infrastructure

[v3] A tenth of projects under the ambitious Digital Agenda initiative, which seeks to drive economic and social change by modernising Europe's creaking IT infrastructure, are delayed, according to the European Commission.

Digital Agenda commissioner Neelie Kroes told CeBIT attendees today that the strategy was adopted nine months ago, and that most of the 101 concrete actions in the agenda will be completed in the near future.

Kroes remained confident that the EC will be able to reach most of its targets by 2013, despite falling behind in some areas.

"My team and I are systematically monitoring progress. I can tell you that we are where we should be with 90 per cent of the actions. Ten per cent are already completed, and 80 per cent are on track," she said. "Unfortunately the remaining 10 per cent are delayed."

Problems are not being left to "fester", according to Kroes, and actions are underway to ensure that services are delivered as soon as possible.

Kroes also announced that an annual 'Digital Scoreboard' will be published from May to ensure that Europe meets its targets and to keep citizens updated about the progress being made.

"Broadband is a type of digital oxygen essential for our prosperity and our wellbeing. It is the solid foundation that can get everyone online," she said.

"A million jobs may depend on the successful rollout of broadband, not to mention Europe's wider prospects for economic growth and social cohesion."

The proportion of the European population regularly using the internet has increased by five per cent to 65 per cent over the past year, while the number without access to the internet has dropped from 30 per cent to 26 per cent, Kroes said.

CeBIT: European Commission warns on Digital Agenda delays

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