EU’s Neelie Kroes Envisions “Tomorrow’s Internet,” An Improvement On US Model

European Commission Vice President Neelie Kroes, responsible for the European Digital Agenda, today launched the Future Internet Labs in London with a vision of what the internet could look like in the coming years. Her vision? Massive changes, millions of things talking to things, European technological independence, and a greater degree of security and privacy for people online.

“Tomorrow’s internet landscape could look very different,” she said. “New smart systems, available on the go. New social media replacing the old. Cloud computing that is scalable, flexible, everywhere. Enormous data sets, used to benefit science, healthcare, our economy, and our everyday lives. And a more secure and a more private Internet.”

“Well,” she quipped, “maybe Europe can do better than what we have recently seen from the US!”

Kroes threw down the gauntlet to Europeans to go innovate, and become more independent.

“And now it’s over to you,” she said. “We are moving into the next phase. The EU is putting 100 millions on the table, to help small businesses, web entrepreneurs, campuseros to use and deploy this technology. You are best placed, not just to innovate, but to turn that innovation into real products, real services, and real jobs.”

“Let’s stop with being modest in Europe,” said Kroes. “We can make it too.”

Over the last 5 years, she said, typical US and Asian ICT companies’ sales rose by almost 50 percent, while sales figures for their European competitors stayed level or even decreased.

“We need to change that,” she said. “Including through the platforms that enable and support new business models.”

“From mobile devices to app stores, software, and IP networks; these are the ingredients that help American companies build a network and snowball to success,” said Kroes. “It’s time we had more of them over in Europe too.”

Examples are smart cities, she said, or “a more secure and private cloud. Made in Europe.”

Kroes’ speech is available here.