The Open Internet Stack is a vehicle for policy development. : Aligned with targeted coordinated spend across the EU, this leads to commodification of software components and development of the European implementation value chain, with the outcomes of improved sovereignty and overall economic, commercial and societal benefit for citizens.
This impact is achievable through investments in and around Open Source technology. : Software is essentially the codification of knowledge in a manner that can be replayed by others through execution on hardware, and Open Source brings the rules to enable this re-execution. Having almost no cost to replicate, this knowledge spreads fast and allows others to build on it.
Europe already depends on Open Source. : If 'Open Source' were to be switched off today, almost all digital systems would cease to operate, as would many businesses, public administrations and functions of society. Most Europeans directly or indirectly rely on open Source for aspects of daily life and work^[In 2021, just 8% of the EU’s population had never used the internet https://bigthink.com/strange-maps/europe-digital-divide/].
Despite the significance of this dependence, European policy has acted relatively passively, albeit with recent interest particularly owing to AI and Cyber threats, and even then, policy is not an alternative to implementation.
This report is not suggesting 'if' Europe should take an open approach, but 'how', and sets out to present practical steps to create the conditions for operationalising the stack and engaging through 'industry as a service' with an array of 'policy concepts'. and budgetary scenarios, outlined with varying degree of ambition as follows:
- No further funding support, leaving industry to organic growth
- Maintain current trend of funding, engagement and education
- Accelerating EU industry for Open Source activities and adoption across Europe
- Setting the rules for the digital age from Europe and leverage for long-term economic benefit
Each budget scenario includes a suggested capital and ongoing fund through to 2035.
:::widebox The European Commission's actions will play a significant part in unleashing the European open digital ecosystem, and creating a powerful sovereign marketplace. :::
::: widebox Intended audience: : Senior DG CNCT & EU Commission decision makers seeking to improve European digital technology, economy, capacity and capability
Objective: : Present current context, identify future position, provide transitional actions through policy and budget
Impacts: : Improvement in technology across EU, reduced cost, increased EU technical capacity
Key milestones: : Short-term diversion of funding to Open technologies, policy development and implementation, assignment of budgets
Risks: : Delays to action risk loosing the leading position, policy diluted through vested interests in the current approach, lack of confidence in EU market capability mutes action
Budget overview: : From 0 to EUR 50m per annum and 0 to EUR 20m set-up fund
:::
::: marginbox "... I'm very willing to continue in this office with this field on open source and open standards"
Henna Virkkunen :::
It is of great value that leadership of the European Commission now recognise the importance of Open Source; that it is not merely an alternative application or hobbyist activity, but of strategic industrial significance.
::: widebox During a joint confirmation hearing in November 2024^[Confirmation hearing of Henna Maria VIRKKUNEN ref 20241112-1830-COMMITTEE-CONFIRMATION-HEARING-B https://multimedia.europarl.europa.eu/en/webstreaming/confirmation-hearing-of-henna-maria-virkkunen-commissioner-designate-tech-sovereignty-security-and-d_20241112-1830-COMMITTEE-CONFIRMATION-HEARING-B], Henna Virkkunen, Executive Vice-President for Tech Sovereignty, Security and Democracy^[Henna Virkkunen, Executive Vice-President for Tech Sovereignty, Security and Democracy https://commission.europa.eu/about/organisation/college-commissioners/henna-virkkunen_en] committed to "developing our tech sovereignty and our security, and reducing our dependencies and boosting the competitiveness of Europe and welfare of our citizens" :::
This report includes insight and background to the European digital story, reflecting on the current context, It points to existing studies and publications which evidence the case for European sovereign technology which has few counter-arguments (with the exception of the well-funded voice of locked-in solution providers).
Fourteen interviews conducted with a cross section of people from public and private sectors informed the report and summaries are contained in the industry voices appendix.
Although further focused research is required across this field, the scenarios and policy concepts are based on real case studies, implementations or proof-of-concept work such that they are down to earth and actionable.
::: examplebox Many associations, alliances, working groups, citizens and businesses subscribed to an open ethos are active across Europe. The will, capacity and skill exist, it is with the government to have faith and confidence in this European capability ahead of locked-in approaches. :::
Scope of this report covers matters that directly influence the EU digital industry, contribution to digital commons, and levers of the next digital generation. Given that these are inextricably linked to society, economy, business and policy, these wider subjects have been explored where relevant.