European Parliamentary Research Service Blog
digital single market
Re-use of public sector information [EU Legislation in Progress]
The mid-term review of the digital single market strategy in 2017 identified the data economy as one of the top three priority areas for action in the second half of the strategy’s implementation, and announced a legislative proposal to improve access to and the re-use of publicly funded data. Continue reading
New rules on copyright in the digital single market
Technological advances and the growth of the digital market have given rise to an ever-growing number of questions from the public concerning the new proposals to modernise EU copyright rules. Continue reading
Digital Europe programme: Funding digital transformation beyond 2020 [EU Legislation in Progress][Policy Podcast]
In the framework of the next long-term EU budget for 2021-2027, the Commission is proposing a new, €9.2 billion programme to build up digital capacity and infrastructure and support a digital single market. Continue reading
Supporting the single market beyond 2020 [EU Legislation in Progress]
For the next long-term EU budget framework (2021-2027), the Commission is proposing a new, dedicated €4 billion programme aimed at empowering and protecting consumers, and enabling Europe’s many small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to take better advantage of a well-functioning single market. Continue reading
Languages and the Digital Single Market
The citizens of the European Union communicate in its 24 official languages, approximately 60 regional and minority languages, and 31 national and regional sign languages. Some of these have many millions of native and foreign speakers, whereas others are spoken by just a few thousand people each. Continue reading
Plenary round-up – Strasbourg, September 2018
The highlight of September’s plenary session was the State of the Union speech by the President of the European Commission, Jean-Claude Juncker, announcing a number of legislative proposals to come by the end of the Commission’s mandate. Continue reading
Fairness and transparency for business users of online services [EU Legislation in Progress]
The Commission adopted a proposal for a regulation on promoting fairness and transparency for business users of online intermediation services on 26 May 2018. Continue reading
Interim digital services tax on revenues from certain digital services [EU Legislation in Progress]
There is a consensus that the digital economy is relatively undertaxed when compared with traditional businesses. Certain inherent characteristics such as reliance on cross-border provision of services without physical presence, easy transfers of intangible assets, and novel ways to create value make it particularly easy for enterprises to limit their tax liabilities. Continue reading
Corporate taxation of a significant digital presence [EU Legislation in Progress][Policy podcast]
Despite achieving unprecedented growth and profit rates, the digital economy seems to be relatively undertaxed when compared to more traditional ‘bricks and mortar’ companies. Continue reading
Modernisation of EU consumer protection rules: A new deal for consumers [EU Legislation in Progress][Policy podcast]
On 11 April 2018, the European Commission published a proposal for a directive on better enforcement and modernisation of EU consumer protection, as part of its ‘new deal for consumers’ package of measures. Continue reading
WIFI4EU – Promotion of internet connectivity in local communities [EU Legislation in Progress]
Written by Christian Scheinert (3rd edition), On 12 September 2017, the European Parliament voted to adopt a legislative act that aims at the promotion of very fast wireless internet access in local communities. This service will be provided free of charge to the public at large. The areas covered will encompass public administrations, libraries and … Continue reading
The new European electronic communications code [EU Legislation in Progress]
On 14 September 2016, the Commission proposed a new European electronic communications code which would overhaul the existing legislative framework for telecommunications. Continue reading
Towards a European gigabit society: Connectivity targets and 5G
Written by Mar Negreiro. In September 2016, the Commission put forward new strategic connectivity objectives for 2025 as part of its digital single market strategy. These should prepare Europe for the roll-out of the next generation of broadband infrastructure with gigabit speeds, including both fixed and mobile internet access (5G). Once available, from 2020 onwards, … Continue reading
Copyright in the digital single market [EU Legislation in Progress]
On 14 September 2016, the European Commission presented a legislative package for the modernisation of the EU copyright rules, including a new directive on copyright in the digital single market. The proposal aims at further harmonising the EU copyright framework taking into account the increasing digital and cross-border uses of protected content. Continue reading
Geo-blocking and discrimination among customers in the EU [EU Legislation in Progress]
Geo-blocking practices commonly restrict cross-border sales of tangible goods as well as of electronically supplied services and electronically delivered content services in the EU. Continue reading
The EU and innovation [What Think Tanks are thinking]
Written by Marcin Grajewski, The European Union has long sought ways to foster innovation, starting with support for research and industrial policies in the 1970s, through action plans in the 1990s and the Lisbon Strategy of 2000, to the Europe 2020 strategy of 2010, now updated by the 10 priorities of European Commission President Jean-Claude … Continue reading
Single-minded about the Single Market – May II Plenary Session
Written by Clare Ferguson, The second plenary session in May will open on Wednesday afternoon with an address by His Majesty King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands, currently holders of the presidency of the Council of the European Union. One of the EU’s highest priorities is the completion of the Single Market, and the main focus … Continue reading
Postal services in the digital age
Written by Balazs Hopp The EU postal sector has undergone significant changes in the past several years. Today, postal service providers are confronted with the growth in e-commerce: new technologies make shopping online more convenient and therefore increase the number of packages and parcels conveyed by postal operators. While parcel deliveries are increasing, letter volumes … Continue reading
Bridging the digital divide in the EU
Written by Mar Negreiro Digital technologies play an important role in the everyday life of most Europeans; the internet allows people, businesses and governments to transform the ways they communicate and engage with one another. Yet some parts of the population are still excluded from using these new methods. Improving the EU fast broadband internet … Continue reading
The EU rules on network neutrality: key provisions, remaining concerns
Written by Tambiama Madiega Network neutrality can be described essentially as a non-discrimination principle, requiring that all electronic communication passing through an internet service provider (ISP) network is treated equally. After a lengthy debate, on 27 October 2015, the European Parliament adopted the Telecoms Single Market (TSM) Regulation which includes, inter alia, new rules to … Continue reading
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