The Beginning

This chapter outlines the genesis and evolution of digital and telecommunications policy in Europe from the early 1980s to the mid-1990s. The story starts with GSM emerging from a meeting of telecommunications experts in Paris in 1980 and its widespread endorsement by European nations, laying the foundation for the global impact of mobile communications. The chapter delves into European ICT research programmes, starting with ESPRIT, initiated in 1984 to strengthen Europe’s IT sector. Influenced by Japan’s Fifth Generation Computer Systems project, ESPRIT and subsequent initiatives placed significant emphasis on AI. The 10-year vision of the RACE programme, to equip Europe with ultra-fast broadband services, proved too ambitious. The narrative describes the transition from national monopolies to a more liberalised telecommunications sector, driven by technological advancements and regulatory reforms, with the 1987 Telecom Green Paper playing a pivotal role. The chapter follows the evolution of broadcasting towards a more diverse media environment enabled by satellite and cable technologies. The 1989 Television without Frontiers Directive, aimed at regulating the emerging commercial broadcasting sector and promoting European content, showcases the EU’s efforts to blend cultural diversity with market liberalisation.