BRUSSELS: The European Commission has highlighted the three main areas of focus in its digital single market strategy, including improving EU digital networks and creating a European digital economy.
Barriers such as geo-blocking, lack of cross-border delivery initiatives and other technical issues currently prevent many citizens from using cross-border digital services, such as online shopping or sharing digital goods.
The commission aims to focus on making it easier to access digital services online, invest in digital networking infrastructure and create a European digital economy to reduce these barriers and implement a single digital market.
Andrus Ansip, the EU’s VP for the single digital market, said: “Innovative businesses must be helped to grow across the EU, not remain locked into their home market. 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.”The EU single digital market has been debated for some time, with suggestions such as increased mobility, a single digital market for cloud-based services, and a focus on cyber security all being cited as important in promoting a cross-border digital market throughout the EU.