On course for a digitally leading Europe

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen wants to make the 2020s the EU's digital decade and ensure that all citizens and businesses have access to the best the digital world has to offer.

The IT&Telecom companies welcome the Commission's approach and would like to highlight two of the concrete objectives contained in the Digital Compass:

-At least 80% of adults in the EU should have basic digital skills. In particular, it points out that more women need to be included.

- A secure and sustainable infrastructure with both fiber and 5G is a basic prerequisite that everyone must be able to access.

We have long emphasized the importance of enabling lifelong learning. The structural change that has accelerated in recent years is contributing to the fact that many adults do not have the digital skills needed to benefit from the transformation brought about by digitalization. We see a need for skills reform to equip individuals for the future and support the transition in the labor market. Otherwise, there is a risk that there will be a delay in the already ongoing digitization throughout Swedish society, but also that Sweden will fall behind compared to other countries.

Broadband infrastructure is a pillar of the digital society and the coronavirus pandemic has further highlighted the importance of broadband access as a prerequisite for working, studying, communicating and socializing. Both the public sector and the business community need functioning connections to be able to conduct their activities. An important further development of today's communication networks is the 5G rollout, which brings new conditions for connectivity and communication. For businesses and public sector actors, 5G will offer completely new opportunities to deliver services and streamline production.

We now call on the Swedish government to develop a plan that shows the direction and priorities and addresses the challenges that can be solved with the help of digitization. Transitioning takes time and resources, but the cost of not changing is significantly higher. The goal of Sweden being the best in the world at using the opportunities of digitalization needs to be followed up with concrete proposals and funds that can act as a catalyst to drive development. We need a unifying force to drive digitalization forward.

The President of the European Commission stresses that unprecedented resources are being mobilized to invest in the digital transition and that the pandemic has shown how crucial it is. Member States' progress will be reviewed annually. The money for implementation will come from the EU's coronavirus crisis package, with at least 20% of the investment going to digitalization.

Sweden now needs to seize the opportunities available - for a digital decade.

Christina Ramm-Ericson, Head of Industrial Policy, IT&Telecom Industries