The European Commission has pledged €1.2 billion ($1.29 billion) in state funding dedicated to advancing cloud computing and Edge development within the region. The initiative, known as the IPCEI Next Generation Cloud Infrastructure and Services (IPCEI CIS), stands as a collaborative effort among seven Member States: France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, and Spain. These nations will collectively allocate the funds, anticipating an additional €1.4 billion ($1.5 billion) in private investments as a result.
Encompassing 19 projects from 19 companies and boasting 90 indirect partners, the IPCEI CIS aims to fortify and expand the European cloud community. This concerted effort seeks to cultivate a more robust and independent cloud infrastructure within Europe, diminishing reliance on the dominant US hyperscaler ecosystem.
The approved Important Project of Common European Interest (IPCEI) involves a consortium comprising a range of prominent companies, including Deutsche Telekom, Telefónica España, Atos, Orange, SAP, Reply, TIM, Oktawave, Antende Industries, OpenNebula Systems, Arsys Internet, Leaseweb Global, 4iG, E-Group ICT Software, Tiscali Italia, CloudFerro, Siemens, Finacantieri, and Engineering Ingegneria Informatica.
Commissioner Thierry Breton emphasized the critical nature of this IPCEI in advancing Cloud and Edge technologies. The initiative aims to achieve groundbreaking innovation that aligns with European standards concerning interoperability, data privacy, sustainability, and cybersecurity. This collective effort among leading companies underscores a pivotal step toward meeting and surpassing European requirements, fostering innovation in vital technological domains.
The IPCEI is poised to meet immediate technology needs and drive the EU towards achieving its Digital Decade Strategy 2030 goals. These objectives encompass a significant 75 percent cloud adoption rate among EU enterprises and the establishment of over 10,000 Edge nodes across Europe. By leveraging this initiative, Europe aims to solidify its position as an innovation frontrunner in cutting-edge data processing services.
Anticipated to yield initial outcomes around 2027, the project is projected to generate approximately 1,000 employment opportunities during its research and development phase. This strategic collaboration aligns with the EU’s commitment to fostering job creation and driving innovation within the region.
In line with these developments, the European Commission recently finalized a six-year agreement with Oracle, a US-based company, to leverage its cloud services. This collaboration underlines the EU’s strategy of harnessing external expertise to propel its digital objectives forward.
FAQs
1. What is the IPCEI Next Generation Cloud Infrastructure and Services (IPCEI CIS) initiative?
IPCEI CIS is a €1.2 billion state-funded initiative led by seven European Member States aimed at advancing cloud computing and Edge development within the region. It involves collaboration among companies to fortify and expand the European cloud community and create a more independent cloud infrastructure in Europe.
2. Which countries are involved in the IPCEI CIS initiative?
France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, and Spain are the seven Member States collaborating on the IPCEI CIS initiative.
3. What are the objectives of the IPCEI CIS initiative?
The initiative aims to promote innovation in Cloud and Edge technologies aligned with European standards, focusing on interoperability, data privacy, sustainability, and cybersecurity. It also aims to drive the EU towards achieving its Digital Decade Strategy 2030 goals, including high cloud adoption rates and establishing Edge nodes across Europe.
4. How does the IPCEI CIS initiative align with the EU’s job creation and innovation objectives?
The initiative is expected to create around 1,000 employment opportunities during its research and development phase. It is aligned with the EU’s commitment to fostering job creation and driving innovation within the region.
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