European Commission sets 2030 digital targets

BRUSSELS - The European Commission on Tuesday unveiled a roadmap to navigate the digital transition of the European Union by 2030, setting a number of targets from developing a quantum compter to accelerating the rollout of 5G networks.

The package, named Digital Compass, will help channel funds for the digital transition, and mobilise private investment, as well as push EU member states to work together to "fill in gaps in critical technologies."

"For us, making this digital decade a successful one means to become this prosperous, confident and open partner that we want to be in the world," European Commission Executive Vice President Margrethe Vestager told a press conference.

The EU's executive arm proposed flagship projects that include the development of the first European quantum computer by 2025, in an apparent effort to catch up with countries like the United States and China.

It also aims to produce 20 percent of the world's cutting-edge semiconductors, deploying 10,000 climate neutral highly secure edge nodes and covering all populated areas with 5G by 2030.

It envisages a more robust digital economy that has three out of four companies using cloud computing services, big data and artificial intelligence, and more than 90 percent of small- and medium-sized companies reaching at least a basic level of digital intensity with the number of EU unicorns doubled.

Digital and green transitions have become priorities within the European Commission.