The Italian parliament has approved legislation aimed at implementing the EU's Digital Agenda in the country, the ministry for economic development announced. European commissioner Neelie Kroes lobbied in recent days for passage of the bill, through a Twitter campaign and a letter to Italian MPs calling for support of the legislation. The bill, known as Growth 2.0, includes measures to promote digital identification and open data initiatives, support for e-books and mobile payments and incentives for technology start-ups. In addition it provides EUR 750 million in funding to expand broadband access in under-served areas and includes measures to reduce the administrative burden for the roll-out of next-generation networks.
