What is the problem? Process inefficiencies and fragmentation of EU industry weakens its competitiveness.

Industry is increasingly in need of open and interoperable solutions, standards and platforms for new web-based products and services to exploit ICT across all industry sectors and increase their competitiveness on the web.

Why is EU action required? To agree on common solutions, standards and platforms

Action is needed at EU level to find common grounds. This would enable web-based companies in Europe to become leaders in their segment. It would also increase the quality of services delivered by EU industry across all private and public sectors.

What are the Commission's plans?

In 2010: reinforce activities that bring together stakeholders around common research and innovation agendas in areas such as social networks, the Future Internet and other key enabling technologies.

In 2011: engage with web-related stakeholders groups, including SMEs, entrepreneurs, ICT users and ICT industry around common agendas for novel web-based open platforms and standards.

Contact:

Bartolome.arroyo-fernandez@ec.europa.eu