(06 May 2015) – Today, the European Commission unveiled its detailed plans to create a Digital Single Market, thereby delivering on one of its top priorities.
At present, barriers online mean citizens miss out on goods and services: only 15% shop online from another EU country; Internet companies and start-ups cannot take full advantage of growth opportunities online – only 7% of SMEs sell cross-border. Finally, businesses and governments are not fully benefitting from digital tools.
According to the Commission, a fully functional Digital Single Market could contribute €415 billion per year to our economy and create hundreds of thousands of new jobs.
The Digital Single Market Strategy adopted today includes a set of targeted actions to be delivered by the end of next year. It is built on three pillars:
- (1) better access for consumers and businesses to digital goods and services across Europe;
- (2) creating the right conditions and a level playing field for digital networks and innovative services to flourish;
- (3) maximising the growth potential of the digital economy.