Reform of the Reform Agenda

This chapter scrutinises the impact of the fledgling Lisbon Agenda on digital strategy. i2010, the follow-up to eEurope, introduced the concept of a ‘single European information space’, laying foundational elements for today’s Digital Single Market. Notably, addressing roaming charges within the EU demonstrated the tangible benefits of a unified European market. Revision of the Television Directive and Telecom Framework, along with developments in research policy, were critical actions under i2010. The overhaul of television rules to include on-demand services reflected the changing landscape of audio-visual media consumption with the growing prevalence of VoD services. The telecommunications sector aimed for ‘More Europe’ through increased harmonisation, particularly in spectrum allocation and the establishment of a European regulator. The idea of a European telecom agency materialised as BEREC, a compromise between the desire for a singular European regulator and the reality of national market regulation. Net neutrality discussions reflected concerns over maintaining an open Internet versus the operational and competitive realities faced by telecom operators. The FP7 research programme saw a significant increase in budget and two high-impact innovations: Joint Technology Initiatives creating critical mass and FET Flagship projects setting long-term goals. The combination of the iPhone, cloud computing, and social media established US dominance in the digital ecosystem, overshadowing Europe’s digital leadership ambitions.