This idea progresses but still too slowly in Europe

Held every two years, the ICT conference devoted to research and public policy in the field of information and communication technologies opens today in Lyon. In an exclusive interview to the "Echos", Viviane Reding argues in this opportunity for a better opening of markets for technology information.

What is, according to you, the role of regulation, including in telecoms, where you have been very active

Telecoms, the regulation must be able to open the market to new entrants, encouraging competition. Thus, ex ante regulation is more reason to be when markets are open to competition. This competition often already exists in the cities in Europe. Look for example at United Kingdom, where, on 65 of the territory, consumers have a choice of 4 operators. In times of economic crisis, it is even more important to encourage competition for the benefit of consumers individuals and professional instead of putting barriers.

You were in favour of the existence of a European regulator to create a European authority. Why

Need to break the yoke of national markets for the services of telecommunications in Europe. For this purpose, it makes sense to replace the national authorities by a European authority. Governments believe that this is not possible for the moment, that should start by putting the 27 regulators around a table. I am convinced of the need to create the Alchemy to take advantage of the internal market. But it is not only an historical operator or a Government to block the entry of a European company in its market. Seen in the field of broadband that in advanced countries are those in which there is strong competition and open markets. At the same time, it is legitimate that, in a field where investments are heavy, there is a return on investment, that the risk taken is paid. This is why the Commission put forward the idea of a "risk premium" operators investing in fibre optics: they may charge access to their network at a price substantially above 12 of the investment made, and for a period of five years.

Investments in fiber optics, very high-speed networks, are for the most part carried out by new entrants and communities. Is this not a problem

If. New entrants are making extraordinary efforts and invest 35 of their turnover in the new infrastructure against only 12 percent for the incumbent operators. Need broadband to develop new services such as e-health, which will allow us to monitor and treat to distance our generations of seniors. This assumes the existence of a strong industry, a certain degree of standardisation and widespread dissemination of broadband. Check out the energy. We are both very well placed in the technologies for energy savings and at the same time the pioneers from a political point of view. Let us take advantage to become the leaders in these new markets!

What is your position on the famous "digital dividend", these frequencies will be released by the extinction of the analog TV

The policy of the radio frequency is an important issue. The transition from analogue to digital TV will free up the frequencies, it must be used in the development of the mobile broadband wireless Internet. It is indeed clear fiber go everywhere. This idea progresses, but still too slowly in Europe. In this connection, I commend the France to have decided to award 35 of the digital dividend to the mobile Internet.

Europe remains behind in this area of technology information. What is the objective of ICT 2008

ICT 2008 is the largest global event in the field of information and communication technologies, with more than 4,000 participants: researchers, policy makers, business leaders, delegations from around the world. To be effective, our research must be in contact with the rest of the world, to increase our forces and analyze our weaknesses. It is ironic, indeed, that while Europe accounts for 33 of the world market of telecommunications, with real leadership in terminals, embedded systems, e-health, our companies have a market share of 22. In addition, if we have a lot of small very innovative champions, Europe is lacking major champions. Therefore we invest less in R & D technology than the United States and the Japan: 34 billion euros, against 80 billion euros for the United States and 40 billion for the Japan. What is attributable as much public private actors: our public investment is three times less than in the United States. As venture capital, it is five times less important than across the Atlantic! Another negative realization that fragmentation: we have 2,000 centres of excellence in Europe, instead of favouring some to make a difference. It makes sense in these conditions that the United States attract the knowledge and skills. While they are poles of excellence in very high level, we, we régionalisons.

The United States have a system to focus on SMEs in the public order. Could build on this system

It is true that we are not sufficiently helping European innovation through public procurement. Because of the absence of European standardisation, Governments have no European reflex when they purchase products and innovative services. Result: the most innovative businesses find it easier to go on the American market. I have found in the area of e-health, sector on which our businesses are very innovative, but face different regulations from one country to another, or even from one region to another, incompatible systems. We have a market of 500 million people which we do not use the potential, because of our lack of courage to break down barriers. I repeat: we must emerge from major centres of research and putting enough money for a mass critical.

But how concretely

I militates for a change in mentalities. Speeding public order for our industries and promote public-private partnerships in areas such as microelectronics and embedded systems. The European Commission has created "P3" in several areas led by industry, for which we act as a facilitator. These search platforms to mobilize 5 euros of money for 1 euro of public money. These "joint technology initiatives" represent a total investment of EUR 5 billion.