EU's Digital Single Market: Solution Or Illusion?

Two weeks ago I wrote a piq on the EU’s approach to digital policy and Internet governance, summarizing Politico’s article on how Europe is trying to become the world’s digital arbiter. Today I’m following up with Politico’s article on why European Union’s tech aspirations might not necessarily be achieved, mostly due to a growing digital divide between “the well-connected North and the tech-deprived South”.

“Europe’s inability to bridge its regional divide (despite decades of forewarning) could curtail its efforts to police the digital world. If Europe can’t get its own house in order, then why should others follow its lead in regulating the web,” summarizes Politico’s new chief technology correspondent Mark Scott.

The Continent’s digital disparity is indeed deep and firmly entrenched. According to EU stats, 85% of individuals in Sweden use the internet every day, compared to 57% in Greece. In Finland, only 4% of those surveyed never used the internet, while the proportion increases to 33% in Bulgaria. Apart from differences in online habits, prices might account for some of the observed variation. For example, in Hungary more than 7% of income is spent on mobile broadband, whereas in Denmark this is less than 1.5%, according to EU figures.

The digital gap makes it hard for policymakers in the South to keep up with the North, thus threatening the plans for “corralling 28 (soon to be 27) member countries to support a united digital front”. In fact, Politico raises an important question: How “single” can EU’s Digital Single Market be? Read to make up your mind or at least to get some food for thought.