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Based on the Commission’s calculations, a Digital Single Market would save approximately €260 billion a year.

A single telecoms market would allow decisions to be made swiftly across member states and promote growth and innovation to foster without the bureaucratic setbacks it faces today. One of the main proposals is for a single regulator across the EU who can ensure spectrum is allocated fairly and push for better co-operation between operators.

Ansip says: “With spectrum, more cooperation in spectrum allocation is not a technical issue. It’s about getting high quality – and decently priced – connectivity, and new services. There is even more work to do to achieve a truly connected digital single market. A market where every consumer is able to enjoy digital content and services – wherever they are in the EU – including government services.”

Much of Ansip’s speech was in regards to the cost-saving potential of a single telecoms market; something everyone is trying to achieve in this era of economic instability. Whilst trying to save costs, businesses are attempting to expand their reach across the EU member states but face various (and often antiquated) laws to comply with on a country-by-country basis…

“Today, a small business trying to spread across the EU faces 28 rules for consumer protection, data protection, contract law, tax rates. Consumers trying to buy online face endless barriers. And it just costs too much, both for consumers and businesses,” Ansip says.

He continues: “I want to see more efficient parcel delivery across Member States and to tackle e-commerce. I want to make sure we can do online what is possible offline.”

A single telecoms market would allow decisions to be made swiftly across member states

For consumers, a single telecoms market in the EU could also eradicate the “service isn’t available in your country” message often seen from our neighbouring countries. It could even help popular stateside-services like Hulu to launch around Europe due to facing less compliance issues around the region.

In his speech, Ansip also addressed the growing net neutrality concerns. Specifically, he called out search engines and their potential to be discriminate about what content is displayed to customers and in what order, “We should discuss a broad range of measures, starting with transparency, self-preference and vertical services in this area.”

Based on the Commission’s calculations, a Digital Single Market would save approximately €260 billion a year. Saving money, promoting innovation, reducing barriers, improving networks, enabling access, and helping businesses are all things which could be achieved from a single telecoms market…

Ansip closes by saying, “This is the jolt that our economy needs and the opportunity our citizens want. It is not something we should turn our backs on. It is what we can build with a Digital Single Market. We have a great opportunity and should make the best of it.”

Do you think Europe needs a Digital Single Market? Let us know in the comments.