Last week, technology trade association Computer & Communications Industry Association (CCIA) released an “Internet manifesto” in order to provide policy recommendations to the incoming European Commissioners, including how to leverage the Internet for maximum economic and social benefit.

CCIA Vice President James Waterworth, who runs CCIA’s Brussels office made the following statement on the release of the manifestor:

“European policymakers need to embrace the Internet opportunity as enthusiastically as European citizens have. It is only by embracing the Internet that Europe can modernise its industrial, social and democratic fabric. According to the McKinsey Global Institute’s research, 75 percent of the Internet’s benefits go to traditional, non-Internet, companies. Policymakers need to advance measures that help small businesses, employees and consumers take full advantage of the Internet. This means resisting measures designed to protect incumbent industries, equipping employees with the necessary skills, encouraging competitive markets for broadband and helping businesses reach their customers across a Digital Single Market. A framework for an Internet-literate Europe means keeping the Internet open and global so that citizens have access to the widest range of information and services that businesses offer. An open Internet provides maximum opportunity to startup companies and to well established companies sourcing services. To protect the old, we must embrace the new. Succeeding in the Internet era will be important for industries from cars to coffee, from audio-visual to agriculture. It will also ensure we can continue to offer high quality public services to more people without an explosion in cost.”

Access CCIA’s policy recommendations.