What is the problem? The internet can not be regulated on a national basis

Given the strategic importance of the internet, international cooperation is crucial. Internet is a formidable instrument for freedom of speech worldwide. For many of the policy issues in the Digital Agenda, progress can only be made on an international level:

• Interoperability and standards recognised at world scale can help promote more rapid innovation by lowering the risks and costs of new technologies.
• Addressing rising cyber security threats needs to take place in an international context.
• The fast worldwide upgrade of internet to IPv6 is an important priority to avoid the slow-down of internet development and impact on economic growth.

Why is EU action necessary? International cooperation is essential to keep internet as a global infrastructure

• Europe must continue to play a leading role in promoting an open and inclusive internet governance.
• Promote European regulatory solutions based on equality of opportunity, transparent government and governance and markets that are open to competition.
• Benchmark European progress in the Digital Agenda against the best international performance.

What will the European Commission do?

In 2011

• Work on the internationalisation of Internet Governance, in particular the IANA functions.
• Adopt a Communication containing the principles for Internet resilience and stability at the European and global level.
• Carry out discussions on the governance of the Internet of Things (IoT)

Contact:

michael.niebel@ec.europa.eu