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Mobile firms offer economic boost for EU support

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CIOL Bureau
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FRANKFURT, UK: The European Union economy could get a boost of up to 750 billion euros ($1,108 billion) by 2015 if the EU helps mobile phone operators expand their technology, an industry body said on Tuesday.

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Mobile technology will help boost public services such as eLearning, eHealth and eGovernment, save costs through more efficiency and help reduce Europe's carbon footprint, telecoms industry group GSMA said in its 2015 Mobile Manifesto.

The manifesto said the industry could generate between 60 billion euros and 120 billion in value annually to 2015 -- equivalent to 0.5 to 1.0 percent of GDP or between 340 billion euros and 750 billion in aggregate between 2010 and 2015.

In return, the European mobile industry wants a harmonised EU roadmap for the release of more spectrum - needed to reach remote areas as well as cities - and to support increasing demand for speedy Internet access on the go and at home.

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The manifesto, supported by 10 operators including Vodafone Group Plc, Telecom Italia Spa, T-Mobile, Orange, and Telefonica SA, also calls for more support in expanding coverage.

"Fragmented national planning policies and requirements for multiple authorisations create significant delays and uncertainties in mobile network deployments, as well as increasing the costs of roll-out," the GSMA said.

It also wants the European Commission to set targets for getting government services online across member states and ensure all eGovernment services are mobile enabled and get health and education services online as well.

The manifesto urged the Commission to also develop standards for privacy, identity and safety laws and refrain from restricting traffic management on networks.

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