CoR calls for a European comprehensive approach to 5G
networks
The COVID-19 crisis and the lockdowns across Europe
have clearly demonstrated the need for digital
infrastructures and solutions more than ever
before. Digital transformation plays a crucial role
in the EU's response to the pandemic and in the
future recovery. Particular attention should be
drawn to avoiding the growth of inequalities and
the creation of a digital divide. Digital skills
should be developed. Adequate infrastructure and
tailored solutions should be made available, in
particular to SMEs. A comprehensive and joint EU
approach to boost the security and resilience of 5G
networks is key. These are the main messages
included in an opinion on digital and data, adopted
by unanimity by the Committee of the Regions'
Plenary.
During the crisis, the use of digital technologies
turned into an imperative to ensure continuity of work
and private life. Public administrations and businesses
in Europe's regions, cities and villages have
experienced how digital technology became key in
alleviating the impact of the crisis and in fighting
the pandemic. The opinion
A Strategy for Europe's Digital future and A
Strategy for Data
, drafted by Mark Weinmeister (DE/EPP)
Secretary of State for European Affairs of the Land of
Hesse, recognizes the central role of digital
transformation in the EU’s response to COVID-19.
"Digitisation must generate a noticeable benefit
for people. Therefore, in addition to the
development of digital technologies and digital
skills we also need to take ethical, legal and
socio-political aspects into account. Smart regions
- which means connected regions - should lead to
citizens directly benefitting from the advantages
of comprehensive digitisation. And this progress
must be carried out at the same pace in both rural
and urban regions
" said the rapporteur Mark Weinmeister.
For the crisis recovery, the CoR calls for a
comprehensive and joint EU approach to boost the
security and resilience of 5G networks, and points out
that a common European minimum safety standard
generates overall positive results. At the same time,
local and regional leaders ask for awareness-raising
and educational measures to ensure citizens fully
understand the benefits of an advanced generation of
digital infrastructure − including studies of their
effect on health and the environment − rather than
becoming victims of fake news.
With at least 20% of the funds under the EU Recovery
and Resilience Facility earmarked for the digital
transition, local and regional leaders confirm that a
significant amount of public resources will be needed
to support digitalisation and thus Europe's
technological sovereignty. Cities, villages and regions
would benefit from simpler funding rules, giving the
chance to apply to as many businesses and research
institutions as possible.
The
first Annual Regional and Local Barometer
, presented on 12 October by the CoR's president Apostolos Tzitzikostas, underlines
that the COVID-19 crisis is likely to reinforce ongoing
trends in the spread of digital services, but also in
the tendencies towards a digital divide and inequality.
It is likely to force cities to become safer while
becoming greener, and non-urban environments to ensure
maximum digital connectivity.
The Barometer provides an overview of the often very
innovative initiatives taken by local and regional
authorities to face the challenges of the pandemic.
Regions, cities and villages also went digital, such as
with the creation of online platforms aiming to boost
collaboration among different stakeholders in order to
cope with the challenges raised by COVID-19.
Background:
In 2017, the Committee of the Regions and the European
Commission jointly launched the
Broadband Platform
, with the aim to help high-speed broadband reach all
European regions, including rural and sparsely
populated areas where there is not enough market-driven
development. Local and regional authorities are those
who provide digital services for citizens and manage
the digital infrastructure. Therefore, the Platform is
a key instrument in making the voice of local and
regional authorities heard through the important added
value of the CoR and its members, feeding the European
Commission's policy-making process.
The members of the platform from the European
Commission and the CoR meet twice a year to address
issues that hamper the connectivity of underserviced
areas.
Contact:
Matteo Miglietta
Tel. +32 (0)2 282 2440
Mobile: +32 (0)470 895382
matteo.miglietta@cor.europa.eu