DIGITAL AGENDA : BROADBAND ROLL-OUT REMAINS A PRIORITY.

• Position: Calendar

Boosting the roll-out of fast and ultra-fast broadband connections will remain the European Commission's priority for 2013-2014. Its mid-term review of the Digital Agenda, published on 18 December 2012(1), spells out seven priorities and also provides for cyber security measures.

Adopted in 2010 by the European Commission, the Digital Agenda identifies actions to stimulate Europe's digital economy.

"We need to take risks," said a very determined Digital Agenda Commissioner Neelie Kroes. She continued: "Europe cannot afford laziness." In 2013, "we will have a package of ten actions just on broadband," said the commissioner.

The institution will adopt a recommendation to encourage investments in next generation access (NGA) networks. On an issue that has sparked controversy in the industry, the text provides for changing the costing methodology for wholesale access to broadband networks and strengthening provisions to guarantee...