BAKGRUNN (fra kommisjonsbeslutningen)

(1) In accordance with Article 5(1) of the Decision (EU) 2022/2481, key performance indicators (KPIs) are to be used to monitor progress of the Union against the digital targets set out in Article 4 of that Decision. The same KPIs should be used to measure the underlying trends at national level. The indicators in the Digital Economy and Society Index (DESI), as defined in Article 2, point (1), of Decision (EU) 2022/2481, should include the KPIs set out in this decision. The process used in DESI to define indicators and collect data should be limited by this Decision.

(2) The KPIs set out in this Decision reflect the best possible measurements of the progress towards the digital targets set out in Article 4 of Decision (EU) 2022/2481 at the moment of this act’s adoption. Further analysis and verification of data collection mechanisms are necessary to assess whether in the future these KPIs should be modified to reflect the targets in a more comprehensive manner. In particular, one of the connectivity targets set out in Article 4(1), point (2)(a) of Decision (EU) 2022/2481 aims at ensuring that all populated areas are covered by a next-generation wireless high-speed network with at least 5G equivalent performance in accordance with the principle of technology neutrality. The related KPI in this Decision allow for the monitoring of progress towards such coverage considering 5G networks. The Commission acknowledges that such a KPI would not enable to track entirely the progress made by Member States towards the target using technologies other than 5G. The KPI has indeed been developed by the Commission on the basis of the data available at the moment of adoption of this Decision. To address this issue the Commission is undertaking further analysis to refine the measurement framework for connectivity and to define a measurable KPI that would make it possible to identify other ‘next- generation wireless-high-speed networks’ with at least such 5G equivalent performance, including in cooperation with the Body of European Regulators for Electronic Communications (BEREC). Moreover, further work is necessary to define KPIs that could reflect more comprehensively the targets set out in Article 4(1), points (2)(a), (2)(b) and (2)(c) of Decision (EU) 2022/2481, regarding gigabit connectivity, the production, in accordance with Union law on environmental sustainability, of cutting-edge semiconductors and climate-neutral highly secure edge nodes. The work on the KPI measuring gigabit connectivity will be undertaken in cooperation with BEREC.

(3) The KPIs will also need to be adjusted or modified, when necessary, in view of technological developments, or socioeconomic changes, as well as to reflect possible changes of the targets set out in Article 4 of the Decision (EU) 2022/2481.

(4) The measures provided for in this Decision are in accordance with the opinion of the Digital Decade Committee established by Article 23(1) of Decision (EU) 2022/2481