Cable expects to continue to upgrade speeds to provide the best quality service available, but despite speeds topping 100 Mbps, Cable Europe executive chairman Matthias Kurth says speed for speed’s sake isn’t interesting.
“What is interesting is the high quality experience consumers can have with our continually upgraded networks. We are proud of the contribution we make to Europe’s high quality infrastructure. And it keeps customers coming back for more which, of course, makes everyone happy,” Kurth said in an interview ahead of next month’s Cable Congress (London, March 5-7th).
Kurth had praise for European Commissioner Neelie Kroes, saying she understood the need to encourage investment and its link to innovation. “There is an element of pushing for higher speeds in her plan called the Digital Agenda. And we’re already achieving important parts of the Digital Agenda.”
However, there are signs that Europe may be forced to reduce its digital investment following the publication of the EU budget for the period 2014-2020.
It sees the €9.2 billion proposed for the digital economy watered down to €1 billion with an emphasis on e-government and telemedicine.
Kroes described the move as a “missed opportunity” and said she would pursue other areas of funding such as the European Investment Bank.
The final EU budget is yet to be signed off, suggesting there remains the possibility that some funding could be restored.
