The European Commission is today launching a public consultation seeking answers to questions on transparency, switching and certain aspects of internet traffic management, with a view to its commitment to preserve the open and neutral character of the Internet. These questions have emerged as key issues in the "net neutrality" debate that has taken place in Europe over the past years, including the recent findings of the Body of European Regulators of European Communications (BEREC). Input is sought from all interested public and private parties, including fixed and mobile internet service providers, Internet content and application providers (including comparison websites), equipment manufacturers, transit providers, investors, public authorities, consumers and their associations. The responses to this consultation will be crucial input for the Commission's planned recommendations announced by European Commission Vice President Neelie Kroes on 29 May 2012.

The European Commission is seeking the views of governments, businesses, citizens about their experiences and EU possible responses to cyber incidents which cause disruption to essential Network and Information Systems (NIS), including the internet. The Commission has launched this consultation to help it prepare a legislative proposal on network and information security, which will be an important element of the upcoming EU strategy on Cyber security. Feedback received will help the Commission draw up an approach to possible future risk management and security breach reporting requirements that would affect businesses in particular. The consultation runs until 12 October 2012.

The European Commission has written to Portugal, Slovenia, Finland (concerning the autonomous region of Åland) and the United Kingdom (concerning the British overseas territory Gibraltar) seeking information about their implementation of the Audiovisual Media Services (AVMS) Directive. The Commission has asked the responsible authorities to reply within 10 weeks. The fact-finding letters are part of the Commission's efforts to ensure that the national media laws of all Member States correctly implement all aspects of the AVMS rules. The requests for information do not imply that the Directive has been incorrectly implemented but simply that, at this stage, the Commission has some outstanding questions concerning their implementation of the Directive.

The European Commission is starting a public consultation on the definition of future Joint Technology Initiatives (JTI) on electronic components and embedded systems to further support activities currently co-funded by the European Commission. In particular this consultation addresses the future JTI(s) covering the ENIAC and ARTEMIS Joint Undertakings. The questionnaire is aimed at gathering the opinions of current and potential stakeholders on the opportunity, scale and scope of possible JTI(s) on electronic components and embedded systems to help drive innovation at European level. The consultation is fully open to all citizens and organisations concerned with the future innovation in ICT in Europe and its link with electronic components and embedded systems in Europe. The consultation lasts until 12/10/2012. Contact: CNECT-JTI-CONSULTATION@ec.europa.eu

The Commission decided today to send a letter of formal notice to Italy on the regulation of telecom markets and on the margin of discretion of the regulator (AGCOM).

The European Commission today outlined measures to improve access to scientific information produced in Europe. Broader and more rapid access to scientific papers and data will make it easier for researchers and businesses to build on the findings of public-funded research. This will boost Europe's innovation capacity and give citizens quicker access to the benefits of scientific discoveries. In this way, it will give Europe a better return on its €87 billion annual investment in R&D. The measures complement the Commission's Communication to achieve a European Research Area (ERA), also adopted today.

The European Commission has set out concrete steps Member States should take to achieve the European Research Area (ERA), a Single Market for research and innovation in Europe. The goal is to enable researchers, research institutions and businesses to better move, compete and co-operate across borders. This will strengthen Member States' research bases, increase their competitiveness and allow them to work together more effectively to tackle major societal challenges, such as climate change, food and energy security and public health. To help achieve the European Research Area, the Commission has also today signed a Joint Statement and Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with organisations representing key research organisations and research funding bodies. The proposals are a response to the deadline set by EU leaders to make the European Research Area a reality by 2014.

The European Prize for Innovation in Public Administration will be awarded to the nine most innovative initiatives run by public authorities from across Europe that are bringing improvements to citizens' lives, helping firms and stimulating research and education. The prizes will reward excellence and innovation in successful, already running, and innovative public initiatives managed by any national, regional or local public administrations from EU Member States or Associated Countries of the Research Framework Programme. They will have made significant improvements in citizens' lives by strategies, services, networks, processes and infrastructure offered by public Administrations troughout Europe. The contest will close on 15 February 2013.

In this policy statement Vice-President Kroes outlines her thoughts on how to spur investment into the rollout of very high speed broadband networks.

The European Commission has proposed measures to modernise collecting societies and put in place incentives to promote their transparency and efficiency. New digital technologies are opening up great opportunities for creators, consumers and businesses alike. Increased demand for online access to cultural content (e.g. music, films, books) does not recognise borders or national restrictions. Neither do the online services used to access them. This is where collecting societies come into play, in particular in the music sector, where they collectively manage the licensing of copyright-protected music tracks for online use on behalf of composers and lyricists and collect and redistribute to them corresponding royalties.

By launching a Smart Cities and Communities European Innovation Partnership (SCC) the European Commission aims to boost the development of smart technologies in cities – by pooling research resources from energy, transport and ICT and concentrating them on a small number of demonstration projects which will be implemented in partnership with cities. For 2013 alone, € 365 million in EU funds have been earmarked for the demonstration of these types of urban technology solutions.

With the holiday season already starting and millions of Europeans intending on travelling within and outside the European Union, there are certain travel considerations that every European should be aware of. Whether these concern having a health insurance, resolving travel disputes with an operator, using a mobile phone abroad or even missing a child, these tips provide a useful insight into the ways in which the EU is working to help and assist EU travellers.

The European Commission published today the results of the public consultation on the future of LED-based lighting in Europe, which was held from 15 December 2011 to 29 February 2012. The three main concerns raised by respondents include the risk of buying products of unproven or insufficient quality, the lack of information for consumers and professional end users, and high initial purchase costs.

The European Commission has today announced the final and biggest ever set of calls for proposals for research under its Seventh Framework Programme (FP7). The calls support the Digital Agenda's ICT research funding targets, with almost €1.5 billion going to the thematic area of information and communication technologies. Around €365 million will be decicated to research on technologies that will transform urban areas into sustainable "Smart Cities and Communities". In total, €8.1 billion will support projects and ideas that will boost Europe's competitiveness. The funding – which is open to organisations and businesses in all EU Member States and partner countries - makes up the lion's share of the EU's proposed €10.8 billion research budget for 2013. This announcement comes just days after EU leaders emphasised the importance of research and innovation in the Compact for Growth and Jobs.

A new Eurobarometer survey shows that Internet users are very concerned about cyber security: 89% avoid disclosing personal information online, and 74% agree that the risk of becoming a victim of cybercrime has increased in the past year. 12% of internet users across the EU have already experienced online fraud, and 8% have fallen victim to identity theft. Nonetheless, 53% have not changed any of their online passwords during the past year.

Many online banking systems dangerously rely on PCs being secure, but banks should instead presume customer PCs are infected, says the EU’s cyber security agency ENISA in response to the reports about the “High Roller” cyber-attack. The attacks drew much attention because they were highly automated, sophisticated and targeted.

Passengers stranded at airports or awaiting missing luggage may now use a smartphone application to check their rights immediately and on the spot. Just in time for the summer holidays, the European Commission has launched an application for smartphones which covers air and rail transport and works on four mobile platforms: Apple iPhone and iPad, Google Android, RIM Blackberry and Microsoft Windows Phone 7. The app is available in 22 EU languages. It currently covers air and rail transport and will be extended to bus / coach and marine travel in 2013 when these rights come into force.

The European Commission has launched an infringement procedure against France and Luxembourg because the VAT rates they are applying to digital books are potentially incompatible with EU law. EU legislation allows Member States to apply reduced VAT rates to a limited list of goods and services set out in Annex III to the VAT Directive. Downloading of digital books is regarded as a service supplied electronically, which is not included in this list and cannot therefore be taxed at the reduced rate.

Citizens are increasingly relying on the internet in their everyday lives for banking, shopping, education and communication. It is therefore important that they are able to use the internet in a secure and confident manner. The European Cyber Security Month (ECSM) is a European project which engages the European Network and Information Security Agency (ENISA), the European Commission and EU Member States to raise awareness about possible risks associated with the improper use of networks; to disseminate recommendations for preventing these risks; and to involve representatives of the public and private sectors to facilitate such activity. The United Kingdom, Spain, Portugal, Luxembourg, Norway and Slovenia will participate in pilot projects involving the organisation of specific activities to raise information security awareness (e.g. conferences, workshops and media campaigns). The initiatives will take place during the entire month of October.

From 1 July 2012, using mobile internet to access maps, videos, photos, social networks and email will be much cheaper while travelling in other EU member states. A new EU regulation means that, for the first time, there will be a maximum charge for "data roaming" - downloading data from the internet when using a mobile connection. The data roaming rules will mean savings of over €1000 per year for a typical businessperson travelling in the EU. A family taking an annual holiday in another EU country can expect to save at least €200. The new rules will also cut the maximum prices for voice calls and texts.