Plans to turn Europe into online leader falter

Close to a million jobs will be created in the digital area over the two years but plans to turn Europe into an online leader were faltering at the EU summit as member states fought to retain their national supremacy.

Plans announced to abolish roaming charges for mobile phones across the EU, a single authorisation for telecom companies to operate throughout the EU, harmonising the spectrum, are all being put on the long finger.

The ambition to end roaming charges, which the European Parliament especially would like to see agreed before the MEPs go to elections next May, was not due to be even mentioned in the summit’s conclusions.