A recent resolution from the European Parliament declares that telecommunications access across the European Union should be equal, as should the digitization of industry.

“The EU could become a global leader in digitizing industry," MEP Reinhard Buetikofer of Germany said in a press release. "But we have to move forward decisively and together to cope with this transformative challenge. Industrial leadership is not guaranteed. We must not only master the technology and new business models, but also be ready to take on societal responsibilities. As every good economic policy, digitization has to be of, for and by the people.”

The resolution mandates that schools should teach digital skills and that the EU should put clear rules in place for robotics and artificial intelligence. MEPs also supported a more intentional, strategic deployment of 5G to allow for better capitalization of its benefits.

“5G is more than a mobile revolution, it is an innovation engine, bringing change across industries, developing business models, creating new quality networks and high-quality services, connecting new industries and improving customer experience,” MEP Michal Boni of Poland said. “We need a simple legal framework, flexible models for co-investments, and long-term certainty and predictability.”