Future networks and the internet

The Communication addresses significant changes the Internet has generated over the last decade in our economies and societies. It also points to requirements for equipping networks for the internet of the future: major investments in infrastructure to create a high-speed internet; the development of the internet architecture to meet future needs; and more access to spectrum on a flexible basis to allow wireless services to take to the air. The Communication also notes that the exponential increase in internet use will raise security and privacy challenges. In the light of the importance of the internet economy for EU competitiveness, it also proposes a Broadband Performance Index to monitor developments towards a high-speed internet infrastructure.