Minister of State Zsolt Nyitrai stressed the need for timely and appropriate decisions for Europe to become the driver and beneficiary of technological changes in the information age, without losing pace. He also added that the infocommunications sector has a crucial role in preserving Europe’s competitiveness and boosting the economy.

One of the legislative priorities of the Hungarian Presidency, in accordance with the European Digital Agenda, is the promotion of broadband through the elaboration of a common spectrum strategy.

The success of the Hungarian EU Presidency could significantly contribute to enabling a larger number of European citizens with extended area coverage to access cheaper and more advanced telecommunications and IT services from the state or the market.

This also means that in today’s world the ever dominant digital services will become part of every citizens’ life anywhere in Europe; whether at home, at work, on the train or even on the ski slopes. The Hungarian EU Presidency could have a significant role in achieving this – underlined Zsolt Nyitrai.

The measures aim to facilitate the roll out and take up of fast and ultra-fast broadband in the EU. The EU institutional debate and adoption of the legislation on spectrum management is expected to take place during the Hungarian EU Presidency.

According to the press release of the Communications Department of the Ministry of National Development, the measures adopted by the European Commission can help the EU realise the commitments in the European Digital Agenda to give every European access to basic broadband by 2013 and fast and ultra fast broadband by 2020. The package also determines the European approach in terms of instruments available to the state, i.e. regulation, spectrum management, and funding.

The Commission Recommendation on Regulated Access to Next Generation Access (high-speed fibre) networks sets out a common regulatory approach that requires national telecoms regulators to ensure an appropriate balance between the needs to encourage investment and to safeguard competition.

The Commission proposal to establish a radio spectrum policy programme aims to promote efficient radio spectrum management and the establishment of an EU-level coordinated strategic spectrum policy in order to maximize the benefits for consumers and the industry.

A Broadband Communication sets out a coherent framework for meeting the Digital Agenda’s broadband targets and, in particular, outlines how best to encourage public and private investment in fast and ultra-fast broadband networks. It provides important guidance to the member states on the implementation of public broadband infrastructures and related programmes – such as the National Network in Hungary.

The European Digital Agenda is one of the flagship initiatives of the Europe 2020 growth and competitiveness strategy and constitutes the EU’s information society policy for the period 2011-2015. Pursuant to the measures adopted by the Commission the member states will have to elaborate the initiatives at the level of national action plans. Broadband development and the elements serving as the foundation of Hungarian economic growth and improved competitiveness will be incorporated in the infocommunications strategy that is currently elaborated based on industry consultation.

The Minister of State also held discussions on the subject with Detlef Eckert Director in charge of Lisbon Strategy and Policies for the Information Society in the Directorate General “Information Society and Media” (DG INFSO) of the European Commission.