EU broadband funds receive cautious welcome

EurActiv – The European Commission has agreed to co-finance Europe’s long-awaited transition from copper to faster fiber-based telecom and internet networks while industry worries that EU funds could weaken investors’ appetite for risk.

According to the Commissioner for the Digital Agenda, Neelie Kroes, a 10% boost in internet penetration could raise GDP levels by up to 1.5%. However some lobbyists argue the Commission’s plan jars with companies’ battle to get private sector investment into fibre.

An estimated €270 billion is reportedly required for fiber in Europe. Big telcos like France Telecom have put forward plans for fibre networks but these reach densely populated areas with an obvious business case for faster internet. more> http://twurl.nl/ed82au

Related articles

• EU to reveal €50bn infrastructure jobs plan (guardian.co.uk)
• EU billions for broadband plan (bbc.co.uk)
• Steelie Neelie stares down telcos over fibre sharing (go.theregister.com)
• EU commissioner wants telecoms firms to boost broadband access (guardian.co.uk)

Happy Planet Index

By Richard Vickaryous – It doesn’t take a lot of resources to live happy, productive lives. The Happy Planet Index measures the efficiency of turning resources into satisfying human lives. It uses three statistics:

• ecological footprint
• life expectancy
• life satisfaction

Some countries use an awful lot of resources per each year of happy life whereas others do a better job of turning resources into happy, productive lives. more> http://twurl.nl/m2zxzo

Related articles

• What defines life satisfaction for consumers living in poverty? (esciencenews.com)
• Nic Marks: The Happy Planet Index on TED talk (focus21.wordpress.com)
• Costa Rica’s Gift of Happiness (sandy-shorts.com)

THOMAS Top Ten – compiled on Oct 23 2011

Library of Congress -

1. H.R. 2112 [112th]
   Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2012
2. H.R. 3012 [112th]
   Fairness for High-Skilled Immigrants Act
3. H.R. 4646 [111th]
   Debt Free America Act
4. H.R. 2273 [112th]
   Coal Residuals Reuse and Management Act
5. H.R. 822 [112th]
   National Right-to-Carry Reciprocity Act of 2011
6. H.R. 358 [112th]
   Protect Life Act
7. H.R. 3590 [111th]
   Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act
8. H.R. 1351 [112th]
   United States Postal Service Pension Obligation Recalculation and Restoration Act of 2011
9. H.R. 2994 [112th]
   Marine and Hydrokinetic Renewable Energy Promotion Act of 2011
10. S. 1619 [112th]
    Currency Exchange Rate Oversight Reform Act of 2011