Neelie Kroes Archives - Latest News from Backup Technology

A study that was conducted by the European Commission suggests that the excessive charges incurred for data roaming results in European visitors turning their phones off when travelling abroad.

The study which was made up of 28,000 respondents from countries across the European Union (EU) shows that 47% of respondents don�t use mobile internet when abroad. More than a quarter of respondents claimed that they turn their phone off to ensure any data roaming charges are not incurred.

Neelie Kroes who is the European Commission Vice-President has claimed that she is stunned by the results and that they have to finish the job of eliminating data roaming charges as it isn�t beneficial for both consumer and company.

Kroes stated, �It shows we have to finish the job and eliminate roaming charges. It’s not just a fight between holiday-makers and telecoms companies. Consumers are limiting their phone use in extreme ways, and this makes no sense for the companies, either.”

Kroes added, �Millions of businesses face extra costs because of roaming, and companies like app makers lose revenue, too. Roaming makes no sense in a single market – it’s economic madness.�

Matthew Howett who is a telecoms analyst believes that the results of the study aren�t that surprising as data roaming charges can result in a hugely inflated bill when using your phone abroad.

Howett stated, �I don’t think the findings are that surprising. Customers can come back to nasty bill shocks when they use their phone abroad.”

In the past year, the European Commission have started a campaign to end data roaming charges altogether which they are hopeful of achieving by 2016. If they are to be successful, their final proposal must be accepted by all 28 EU members and passed by European lawmakers.

Their first step of achieving this is to get charges for receiving incoming calls abolished. The European Commission believe that they are on course with achieving this goal and it is believed that it could come into effect as soon as July this year.

Naturally many of the network providers are disgruntled by this news. Matthew Howett believes that this is because the proposals have been made whilst they are in the process of investing a huge amount of money in infrastructure upgrades.

Howett stated, �They are having to make some fairly significant investments in 4G networks across Europe. By giving [the networks] this quite lethal kick at this time it is quite painful for them, as they’re trying to invest.”

Do you use your mobile when travelling abroad? Do you think that data roaming charges should be abolished?

The European Commission (EC) has revealed that they have achieved their aim of ensuring that every household and business within Europe has access to at least a basic broadband connection.

The greater broadband coverage has been made possible through the availability of satellite broadband in all 28 member states. The availability of satellite broadband has resulted in the three million people who were not covered by the fixed and mobile broadband networks.

At the moment, 96.1% of people in Europe have access to fixed broadband networks and 99.4% of people have access via mobile coverage. Even though every household and business in Europe now has access to a broadband connection, the speeds may not be suitable for everyone with some only being able to receive a connection of 2Mbps.

Neelie Kroes, who is the Vice President of the European Commission, expressed her delight at achieving this aim.

Kroes stated, �My motto is Every European Digital � now every European genuinely has the opportunity. We have more to do to improve networks and equalise the opportunity, but the opportunity is there. Thanks to the extra coverage provided by satellite broadband, we have achieved our 2013 target of broadband for all. That’s a great result for European citizens.�

Despite the EC achieving this aim, they plan not to rest on their laurels and to continue to push forward to improve the available broadband speeds across Europe.

Kroes declared, �Europe needs lightning-speed connectivity. We cannot leave some companies and citizens behind. Now we have basic broadband achieved, we have to immediately focus on investing in new, fast networks.�

Kroes added, �Access to reliable and affordable higher broadband speeds of 30Mbps and 50Mbps is essential for Europe’s economic development and for the next generation of digital products and services like connected television, e-health, cloud computing and connected cars.�

With everyone across Europe now having access to a broadband connection, there is no reason for anyone not utilise a robust cloud backup solution that meets their needs and requirements. The advantages of utilising a robust cloud backup solution can now be experienced by everyone who lives in Europe and have the peace of mind that they can recover their data regardless of any disasters at their home or office.

Do you utilise a cloud backup solution? Do you feel it is worthwhile to utilise a cloud backup solution?