Europe needs to secure leadership in the use of broadband, mobile data traffic and internet services, according to Gunnar Hokmark MEP.

The Swedish politician, who is vice chairman of the European People's Party Group, told delegates at the European parliament's seventh annual EU Spectrum Management Conference that these technologies will help drag the continent out of the economic doldrums.

Public funding must be used to boost access to broadband in areas that will not be covered by private sector deployments, Mr Hokmark declared.

The EU should also help to deliver necessary levels of capacity to universities, cities and national capitals, he said.

Mr Hokmark added: "Leadership in the use of broadband, mobile data traffic and internet services is crucial for growth, productivity and competitiveness.

"If we agree on the need for growth, we have to act now."

The EU is aiming to achieve 100 per cent broadband coverage by next year, with universal access to 30Mbps services by 2020.

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