Brussels: Afke Schaart, Vice President of Europe, GSMA welcomes Vice-President Ansip’s confirmation today that the European Commission is to press ahead with an ambitious Digital Single Market Strategy:

“Europe’s economy is on the threshold of the fourth industrial revolution. Driven by the Internet, the real and virtual worlds are merging to form the Internet of Things. Some of Europe’s largest manufacturers are already starting to realise the benefits of this revolution, but the full impact requires high-speed networks, accessible to all companies, large and small, as well as to all EU citizens.

“Creating such an environment will unlock significant economic growth and help restore Europe’s digital leadership. GSMA Intelligence predicts that by 2020, the mobile ecosystem will contribute approximately €500 billion to the region’s GDP. The mobile industry currently supports 2.5 million jobs directly and indirectly, many of which are highly skilled¹. The GSMA and its members are committed to working with policy makers to invest in Europe’s digital infrastructure and drive the region’s economic recovery.

“In the run up to the launch of the Digital Single Market Strategy, we are calling for swift and positive proposals; time is of the essence given the incredible pace of change in the digital landscape. It is critical that the digital policy framework not only be current, but also future-proof. The last time significant EU legislation for the telecoms sector was passed, it was already outdated by the time it actually became law. Through the Digital Single Market Strategy, we must act swiftly and prepare for a digital future that maximises incentives for increased digital investment.”

-ENDS-

Notes to Editors

¹ Source: The Mobile Economy Europe 2014: http://gsmamobileeconomyeurope.com/

About the GSMA
The GSMA represents the interests of mobile operators worldwide, uniting nearly 800 operators with more than 250 companies in the broader mobile ecosystem, including handset and device makers, software companies, equipment providers and Internet companies, as well as organisations in adjacent industry sectors. The GSMA also produces industry-leading events such as Mobile World Congress, Mobile World Congress Shanghai and the Mobile 360 Series conferences.

For more information, please visit the GSMA corporate website at www.gsma.com. Follow the GSMA on Twitter: @GSMA.

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