Future Networks and the Internet (Communication)

The rapid development of the internet creates new services and applications. Not only the EU Commission, but also many national politicians call for "broadband access for all" and a quick expansion of high-speed networks in urban areas. The growing use of smart radio tags (RFID technology) storing and transmitting data, enables new applications on the one hand, but, at the same time, raises critical issues as to data protetion on the other hand.

cepPolicyBrief

There should be an open debate as to whether or not the general public is willing to bear the expenses for an EU-wide coverage of broadband access. As long as regulation of access to new high-speed networks is to be anticipated, operators' incentives to invest in their deployment are relatively low. Consumer should decide individually to which extent, if at all, they wish to participate in the "internet of things".