A Youth Perspective on the “Connected Continent”

ThinkYoung, the first think tank to focus on young people, presents the results of its research on the Telecoms Single Market

di Staff

ThinkYoung, the Brussels-based think tank focused on youth, has announced the results of its last research on the Telecoms Single Market.
The “Connected Continent” legislative package recently adopted by the European Commission could present an opportunity for young Europeans to become more mobile and more connected across borders within the EU. ThinkYoung recognized the need to create awareness about the EC’s proposal and to give young EU citizens a voice on this issue. As a result, ThinkYoung conducted a survey entitled “Goodbye Roaming Charges?” aimed at identifying young Europeans’ perceptions on key aspects of this draft legislation related to net neutrality and  roaming charges.
Responses were gathered from EU citizens aged 18-34 online and in-person during October and November 2013. A total of 1,040 respondents answered the questionnaire which focused on mobile communication habits and preferences, as well as perceptions on roaming fees and net neutrality. 
The key findings are:
93% of young Europeans currently feel restricted in terms of mobile communication and connectivity when travelling in the EU due to the associated high costs of using their mobile device.
-The difference in terms of mobile usage is most apparent in terms of data roaming as only 36% of European youth use mobile internet abroad (EU member states) compared to 86% at home.
-An increase in domestic tariffs in exchange for an end to roaming charges is opposed by the majority (52%) of young Europeans
4 out of 5 young Europeans rate unrestricted internet access as important and 29% did not know whether their current mobile phone tariff included any restrictions of peer-to-peer and/or VoIP services, such as Skype or WhatsApp. 
79% of European youth are in favour of strengthening the EU’s regulatory powers in the telecoms sector in order to guarantee fair prices and to harmonise the internal market. 
Tomorrow, Thursday the 3rd of April, MEPs will vote on the Commission’s #ConnectedContinent proposed regulation.
 
 
 
 
 
 


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