Trans-European networks and the Common Information Area: The development of a European strategy

The EU has set out to introduce information and communication technologies into all areas of the socioeconomic structure. Initially, however, a Common Information Area (CIA) needs to be established to ensure that information and communication are freely mobile throughout the economic and social space. To this end the EU needs to develop a strategy to ensure that a series of high-powered telecommunication networks emerge in an integrated and coordinated fashion. While several initiatives to assist the market-based provision of the CIA have been established, there seems to be an absence of an overarching coordinated strategy to aid its development. A single body to oversee the EU telecommunication sector may need to be established.