Granada Ministerial Declaration Meeting: ICT Sector Highlights Critical Issues

BRUSSELS, April 19, 2010 - The European ICT sector calls on European Digital Agenda Commissioner
Neelie Kroes - and other key ministers - at the Informal Meeting of EU
Ministers in Granada 18-20 April - to take into account recommendations from
the joint industry contribution to the Spanish Presidency Digital Europe
Strategy - presented at the January meeting of the Spanish State Secretariat
for Telecommunications and Information Society.

Further, DIGITALEUROPE's White Paper, 'A Transformational Agenda for the
Digital Age,' - due for launch 4 May - reinforces the priorities for the
Digital Agenda, and highlights the digital-technology industry's critical
role across all industries.

"ICT is central to our global digital society," says DIGITALEUROPE
Director-General Bridget Cosgrave. "Our industry plays a strategic role as a
horizontal enabler and is pivotal in Europe's future economic and social
prosperity."

"Digital technologies will drive innovation, provide practical solutions
to critical global issues such as climate change, and deliver a competitive
and prosperous Europe, as we move out of the recession," Cosgrave adds. "We
must tackle competition from emerging, technically savvy global players and
act decisively to maintain and enhance Europe's competitiveness."

In response to the Declaration Agenda, which identifies the need to
"generate a favourable environment for the deployment and use of advanced
infrastructures and services" the White Paper states: "Digital Europe's
objective must be to establish global leadership in ICT infrastructure by
2015 by delivering close to 100% broadband coverage."

"The winners in the digital world of tomorrow will be those countries,
communities and citizens with Internet access everywhere. This will enable
them to get connected for creativity, collaboration, and commercial
opportunities," Cosgrave explains, adding: "Future Internet is the primary
communications infrastructure of the Digital Age. Europe is strongly
positioned for digital infrastructure, but we must stay at the leading edge
of technology development and implementation to provide 'ubiquitous
participation'."

A key focus of the Granada discussions is Online Trust & Security. "A
trusted and safe online environment is a prerequisite for the further
development of Europe's digital economy and Digital Single Market," confirms
DIGITALEUROPE's Executive Board President Erkki Ormala.

"Leveraging Europe's digital strengths into global competitiveness,
economic wealth and sustainable jobs requires the creation of a European
Digital Single Market where business can be conducted online as easily as
through traditional channels," Ormala adds. "Security and safety for all
categories of users - private individuals (including children), business and
governments, are of paramount importance."

The White Paper also addresses other Granada Agenda Items
including, ICT's critical role in developing a sustainable, energy efficient
and low-carbon economy in Europe. "Digital Industry takes the view that a
global cohesive approach to energy efficiency is a winning strategy for
securing competitiveness, jobs and economic prosperity in the future,"
Cosgrave concludes.

DIGITALEUROPE's Executive Summary is available by request
info@digitaleurope.org

Media Enquiries: Natalia KUROP - DIGITALEUROPE, Director, Communications & Marketing, T. +32-2-609-53-26, F. +32-2-609-53-39 , M. +32-487-34-05-71, E. natalia.kurop at digitaleurope.org