European Commission consults on cloud computing

Questionnaire revealed designed to gather insight from stakeholders and 'interested parties'

The European Commission (EC) has launched a public consultation on cloud computing.

The results will feed into the EC's work on a European Cloud Computing Strategy which should be in place no later than 2012, according to Neelie Kroes, vice-president of the European Commission responsible for the Digital Agenda.

She said: "I want to make Europe not just cloud-friendly, but cloud-active. We can deliver cloud computing by using research and innovation to bring about better clouds. Along the way we can modernise our computing infrastructure and give our SMEs a new platform for innovation."

Kroes also cites the cloud as a principle reason for pushing the Digital Agenda.

"Broadband for every European is the Digital Agenda's ICT infrastructure policy. People often ask me what will be done with all that bandwidth. I am convinced that cloud computing is an important part of the answer."

The consultation is in the form of a questionnaire which can be accessed online.