Digital Single MarketAbout Digital Single MarketThe Digital Agenda presented by the European Commission forms one of the seven pillars of the Europe 2020 Strategy which sets objectives for the growth of the European Union (EU) by 2020. The Digital Agenda proposes to better exploit the potential of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) in order to foster innovation, economic growth and progress.The European Commission's Digital Agenda forms one of the seven pillars of the Europe 2020 Strategy which sets objectives for the growth of the European Union (EU) by 2020.The Digital Agenda's main objective is to develop a digital single market in order to generate smart, sustainable and inclusive growth in Europe, and it is made up of seven pillars.Achieving the digital single marketMore and more of us manage our lives online, and we need know that we are fully protected, and we are getting what we expect: high quality service throughout the EU. EU law gives us the right to travel, work or trade anywhere in the EU – whether we're going on holiday or setting up a business – but the Internet does not stop at the border. We should benefit from the best content, deals and services, wherever we are in the EU, without being geo-blocked. Businesses should be able to market and share their bright ideas across the EU. In May 2015 the European Commission will come forward with a Digital Single Market strategy. Read more.Enhancing interoperability and standardsThe EU must enhance the interoperability of devices, applications, data repositories, services and networks. In order to do this, it is essential that the Commission continues the review of its standard- setting policy. It must also promote appropriate rules for intellectual property rights. Read more.Strengthening online trust and securityEurope must strengthen its policy to combat cybercrime, child pornography and breaches of privacy and personal data security. The Commission presented measures on network and information security and the fight against cyber attacks in 2013 which will soon become EU law. We want to know what's happening to our personal data, and we need to know that the rules of the game are the same in all 28 countries of the EU.In parallel, Member States should take measures to establish a well- functioning network at national level and carry out large-scale cyber attack simulations. National alert platforms should be adapted to the Europol cybercrime platform. Read more.Promoting fast and ultra fast Internet access for allEurope needs competitively priced fast and ultra fast Internet access for all. To achieve this, the EU must establish next generation access networks (NGAs). The Commission is channelling some of its public funds, via different instruments, to invest in broadband infrastructure. Read more.Investing in research and innovation We must invest in world-class ICT research and innovation in order to boost growth and jobs via innovative Public-Private Partnerships and by exploiting the opportunities available through Horizon 2020 research funding programs. We must catch up with our main competitors in ICT research and digital innovation. Read more.Promoting digital literacy, skills and inclusionAlthough the Internet is part of daily life for many of us, some parts of the population are still excluded from media literacy in the digital environment. And we are facing a crisis of a shortage of employees with digital skills across the EU. Read more.In order to promote employment in the ICT field, and in jobs which require digital skills, the Commission created the Grand Coalition for Digital Jobs and Skills in 2013. This is a multi-stakeholder partnership that endeavours to facilitate collaboration among business and education providers, public and private actors to take action attracting young people into ICT education, and to retrain unemployed people. In order to overcome unequal access to digital literacy by European citizens, Member States should promote e-accessibility in particular when applying the Audiovisual Media Services Directive.ICT-enabled benefits for EU societyThe EU must exploit the potential offered by the use of ICTs in the following areas:•climate change, through partnerships with emitting sectors,•managing ageing population, through e-health and telemedicine systems and services,•digitisation of content, through Europeana,•intelligent transport systems, by applying the proposed Directive. Read more.1. Achieving the digital single market About Shaping the Digital Single MarketThe Digital Single Market denotes the strategy of the European Commission to ensure access to onlineactivities for individuals and businesses under conditions of fair competition, consumer and data protection, removing geo-blocking and copyright issues.A Digital Single Market (DSM) is one in which the free movement of persons, services and capital is ensured and where the individuals and businesses can seamlessly access and engage in online activities under conditions of fair competition, and a high level of consumer and personal data protection, irrespective of their nationality or place of residence.On 10 May 2017, the Commission published a mid-term review of the Digital Single Market Strategy. It presents and evaluates the progress in implementing the Strategy since 2015 and highlights where further actions are needed.The European Commission has identified the completion of the Digital Single Market (DSM) as one of its 10 political priorities. Vice- President Andrus Ansip leads the project team "A Connected Digital Single Market".Ongoing Digital Single Market Public consultations help to define the objectives for the implementation.The Digital Single Market strategyThe Digital Single Market strategy was adopted on the 6 May 2015. It includes 16 specific initiatives which have been delivered by the Commission by January 2017. Legislative proposalsare currently being discussed by the co-legislator, the European Parliament and the Council.A Digital Single Market creates opportunities for new startups and allows existing companies to reach a market of over 500 million people. Completing a Digital Single Market can contribute EUR 415 billion per year to Europe's economy, create jobs and transform our public services.Furthermore, it offers opportunities for citizens, provided they are equipped with the right digital skills. Enhanced use of digital technologies improve citizens' access to information and culture andimprove their job opportunities. It can promote modern open government.The PillarsThe Digital Single Market Strategy is built on three pillars:1. Access: better access for consumers and businesses to digitalgoods and services across Europe;2. Environment: creating the right conditions and a level playingfield for digital networks and innovative services to flourish;3. Economy & Society: maximising the growth potential of the digitaleconomy.Digital Single Market's achievements Download the full pdf version of the factsheet in English - French - German.See the Commission priority on the Digital Single Market.The mid-term review of the Digital Single Market StrategyThe Digital Single Market strategy has delivered the main legislative proposals set as priority, specifically in the topics of e-commerce, copyright, audiovisual and media services, telecoms review, ePrivacy, harmonisation of digital rights, affordable parcel delivery, harmonised VAT rules.In order to ensure a fair, open and secure digital environment, the Commission has identified three main emerging challenges:1. to ensure that online platforms can continue to bring benefit toour economy and society,2. to develop the European Data Economy to its full potential, and3. to protect Europe's assets by tackling cybersecurity challenges. In addition, the review explores a number of important policy areas critical for unlocking the true value of the data economy:•digital skills,•digitising industry and services (e.g. connected cars, FinTech),•High Performance Computing,•artificial intelligence,•modernising public services and egovernment,•health and care.The mid-term review also focuses on the investments needed in digital infrastructures and services, not forgetting the global dimension of the European Digital Single Market.2. Enhancing interoperability and standardsEfficient communication allows professionals to share information and best practices maximising the benefit for patients and final users. To improve and develop the services, healthcare providers and policy makers needto widen effective cooperation strategies.The eHealth Action Plan 2012-2020, published by the European Commission, aims at making use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) to improve healthcare in Europe. The Action Plan focuses on developing common standards to enhance interoperable healthcare systems among member states. The stakeholders will play an active role in the implementation of eHealth solutions. Benefits of interoperable eHealth solutions•For healthcare professionals: improved quality and safety of care through strengthened coordination; up- to-date patientstatus information and evidence-based clinical guidelines tosupport decision-making procedures;•For patients: enhanced safety of treatments received, delivery of care at the point of need, integrated care including qualityand safe treatment abroad, e.g. in an emergency situation inanother EU Member State;•For users: interoperable systems result in significantly lower implementation and integration costs. For example, a MRIimage from a hospital can be exchanged and used by variousprofessionals and structures without the need to repeat tests;•For healthcare businesses: the use of a common eHealth EU Interoperability Framework (EIF) can help expand a digitalsingle market for healthcare, opening up competition andreducing costs for developers. In this sense, cooperation is vital:a thorough and wide collaboration allows sharing costs andreduces future reinvestments to update systems.What are we doing?The European Commission has already put in place several activities to improve EU interoperability & standardisation in healthcare. During the period 2013-2020, the Commission will use the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) and the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) funding programmes to push for a large-scale diffusion of innovative tools, the replicability of good practices and services for health, ageing and wellbeing, with a particular attention on improving equal access to services.3.Strengthening online trust and securityThe European Commission's initiatives aim to improve online security, trust and inclusion. Trust and securityare at the core of the Digital Single Market Strategy.The EU cybersecurity strategy, adopted in 2013, outlines the principles that will guide the EU action in this domain - for example the importance of access to the internet, and the protection of fundamental rights online. Following the review of the strategy in 2017, the European Commission has put forward a series of measures that will further improve EU cyber resilience and response.In the ePrivacy domain, the main objective is the protection of the confidentiality and the security of communications, which is rooted in the fundamental right to the respect of private and family life (including communications), as enshrined in the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights.The Commission is working with social networking sites, the internet industry, parents, and other groups to build a better internet for kids. The Safer Internet Programme funds projects which empower and protect children and young people onlineEurope's e-Inclusion policy ensures that no one is left behind and promotes the use of ICTs to overcome exclusion, and improve employment opportunities, quality of life, social participation and cohesion.A reliable system of electronic signatures that work across EU countries through trust services and eId is vital for safe electronic commerce and efficient delivery of online public services4.Promoting fast and ultra fast Internet access for allThe Commission has proposed a set of measures to ensure everyone in the EU will have the best possible internet connection, so they can participate fully in the digital economy.Delivering on its Digital Single Market strategy, the Commission adopted on 14 September 2016 a set of initiatives and legislative proposals to place the EU at the forefront of internet connectivity.Download the telecoms visual summary (pdf)A new rule book for providers of internet access and communicationservices - the European Electronic Communications CodeThe European Electronic Communications Code sets EU-wide common rules and objectives on how the telecom industry should be regulated. It applies to providers of networks and/or services and defines how they can be regulated by national Regulators. It brings the rules up to date, to take account of technological developments (more internet use, less traditional telephony) and to safeguard consumer choice. Common EU broadband targets for 2025In order to address future broadband needs, the Commission proposes that by 2025 all schools, transport hubs and main providers of public services as well as digitally intensive enterprises should have access to internet connections with download/upload speeds of 1 Gigabit of data per second. In addition, all European households, rural or urban, should have access to networks offering a download speed of at least 100 Mbps, which can be upgraded to 1 Gigabit and all urban areas as well as major roads and railways should have uninterrupted 5G wireless broadband coverage, starting with fully- fledged commercial service in at least one major city in each EU Member State already by 2020.A plan to foster European industrial leadership in 5th generation (5G) wireless technologyThe 5G Action Plan proposes an EU framework for Member Statesand industrial sectors to cooperate in the development and introduction of 5G wireless technologies in the European Union with the goal to stimulate the necessary investments.A voucher scheme for public authorities who want to offer free Wi- Fi access to their citizens (WiFi4EU)。