ETSI, an organization developing standards for ICT, digital products and services welcomes the Digital Single Market strategy of the European Commission and the overtures for collaborative efforts to implement the strategy. While offering a pragmatic approach to complex issues, the EC acknowledges the role of standards and interoperability, outlining that the strategy is a beginning of a process and not an end.
The Digital Single Market strategy underlines the major game changers induced by the digitization of the economy and takes steps to address them, while acknowledging that the complexity of the ecosystems calls for a pragmatic and concerted approach to implementation.
The strategy takes stock of the essential role of standards on interoperability and ease-of-use for businesses and consumers and highlights also the structuring effect of standards on technical development and competitiveness.
At the same time, it stresses the challenges prompted by the prevalence of digital technologies in all sectors of the economy and the need to adapt processes and associate new players and new spheres of the economy and society in developing relevant standards.
ETSI particularly welcomes the strategic correlation between policy and standards and the emphasis placed on the fact that the strategy is the beginning of a new process.
ETSI equally welcomes the clear cut objective to devise an integrated standardization plan to define key priorities for standardization and focus on the technologies and domains that are deemed critical to the Digital Single Market, including connectivity (e.g. 5G), services (e.g. mobile payments) and enablers (e.g. big data).
Luis Romero, Director General of ETSI said: “ETSI is very positive of both the content and the approach elected by the Digital Single Market strategy. We appreciate the work ahead to ensure that the strategy translates into meaningful execution plans. ETSI is committed to further engage with the European Commission to ensure a successful implementation of the strategy.”
