The European mobile industry is on track to invest €145 billion in capital expenditure through 2013, creating direct and indirect employment for more than 4.7 million people.
In a bid to harmonize the relationships between governing bodies and the mobile industry the operators’ body GSMA has set out a blueprint for the mobile industry to achieve key EU targets which boost the economy, protect consumers and accelerate the use of green tech.
The European Mobile Manifesto includes undertakings to work more closely with governments, education and health authorities and technology manufacturers.
Currently the mobile sector accounts for 1.2% of EU GDP, and employs over 600,000 people. Within EU mobile now accounts for approximately 61% of telecom revenue, up from 47% in 2002.
“The manifesto gives a very good insight in the key role mobile will play in European society - if we take the right measures now," said EU's Telecoms Commissioner, Viviane Reding. It focuses exclusively on the role mobile can play in achieving the ICT policy objectives of the European Commission.
Among its key concerns the industry is asking the EU for more spectrum to develop a harmonized roadmap for release; for roll-out support to remove barriers to eco-efficient coverage expansion; to be pro-mobile in public services, utilities and infrastructure; to help educate the consumer and promote user responsibility for online data and security; and provide continued flexibility in network management to preserve choice and quality of service and experience.
“Mobile is the most ubiquitous, connected and personalized communications tool that we have, and it holds significant potential to improve the lives of European citizens and the economic performance of the region through social inclusion and continued investment in innovation,” said Rob Conway, CEO and Member of the Board, GSMA.
The Mobile Manifesto outlines specific, detailed goals from the industry and their social effects. Such metrics include forecasts that mobile teleworking can reduce carbon emissions by 22.1 MtCO2e a year, or energy savings of €7.7bn by 2015; mHealth calculations show a saving of up to €78 billion by 2015 and increasing connectivity through mobile which will deliver greater productivity estimated to add an aggregate of up to €349 billion by 2015.