The global representative body of the communications sector, the GSMA (News - Alert), recently launched the  latest European Mobile Manifesto which places strong emphasis on achieving important ICT policy objectives of the European Union. These relate mainly to drive economic performance and efficiencies, to safeguard interests of consumers and to optimize usage of environmental friendly technology.

 

In order to execute the manifesto the industry has assured that it will associate closely with governments, education and health authorities and technology manufacturers. In turn the mobile industry has also beseeched the European Union to announce steps that will support their ventures.

 

The mobile industry has used the medium of the Mobile Manifesto to illustrate its chief objectives. These include driving internet connectivity and productivity via pervasive mobile broadband access, involving consumers and providing better standards by assisting in the mobilization of commercial and public services – especially e-Commerce, e-learning, e-Health and e-Government – and providing mobile privacy tools to encourage users to preserve consumer trust. The industry also wants to create a mobile planet that is built on the ideals of environmental friendliness using M2M capabilities.

 

A mobile device is indispensable in contemporary lifestyle and as such presents several opportunities to improve the living standards and economic well-being of Europe, especially in areas like innovation and social inclusion. Europe has so far dominated the mobile industry and continues to stamp their superiority even in terms of growth rates. Thus, industry experts agree that the manifesto outlines the initiatives required to build a more wealthy, green and socially inclusive Europe by fostering growth in the mobile sector.

 

The mobile industry is looking to the European Union for a more detailed report of the initiatives which will be undertaken to facilitate the growth objectives outlined in the Manifesto. The European Union has been asked for roll-out support to eliminate hurdles and allow economically sustainable coverage expansion. 

The organization has also been requested to be positive towards mobile in public sector, utilities and infrastructure, to help inform the consumers and improve user responsibility and to deliver sustained dynamism in network administration so that choice and quality of service and experience is not compromised. The effect of the goals outlined in the Manifesto can be quantified in terms of carbon footprint and energy savings.

 

Contributing 1.3 percent of European Union Gross Value Added and employing over 600,000 people, European Union telecoms are significant contributors to overall well being. Mobile accounts for 61 percent of revenues, up by 15 percent from 2002. Strong growth figures are indicated mostly due to robust investments being made in infrastructure. In Europe alone, the mobile industry will spend more than $215 billion in capital expenditure upto 2103 and provide direct and indirect employment to more than 4.7 million people. Mobile will also significantly assist in reversing the economic downturn, thus allowing Europe to fulfill its Lisbon Strategy, which was to transform the EU into the most competitive economy globally.