The popularity of online shopping is no doubt about to escalate across Europe.

Proposals made this week mean internet usage will be set to increase throughout the continent in coming years.

The plans, known as the Digital Agenda, were announced yesterday by the European Commission.

The objective is to expand the amount of the European population who engage in online services, in the following decade.

It is hoped both public and enterprise services will be accessed, with the Commissions five-year plan aimed at improving sales of music from legal download sources, and assembling a quick-fire strategy for cyber attacks.

Among the raft of 31 EU laws, includes broadband inclusion for every EU citizen by three years time, and speeds of more than 100 megabits per second.