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This folder contains a range of case studies illustrating the emergence of the Information Society in Europe. They are all
managed and supported by the European Commission's Directorate General for Telecommunications, Information Market and Exploitation of Research,
DG XIII. The projects and initiatives described either form part of the
Telematics Applications Programme or the Programme for Advanced communications Technologies and Services (ACTS), or they are supported by the Information Society Project Office (ISPO). The Telematics Applications
Programme is a user driven research programme, focusing on the applications of communications technologies in society. The Programme is working in close cooperation with many different types of users in order to ensure
that the services being developed are accessible, user-friendly and cost-effective.
The Telematics Applications Programme covers a wide range of different sectors. It develops telematics applications
for services of public interest with the aim of improving the efficiency and safety of public services and facilitating related private sector activities. The Programme also develops telematics applications for
improving living and working conditions in the European Union, for example through a range of projects in the health-care sector, for urban and rural areas and for the protection of the environment.
Furthermore, the Programme fosters projects which develop new tools and applications which facilitate access to knowledge and the sharing of know-how.
The Information Society Project Office (ISPO) was set
up by the European Commission in December 1994. Its mandate comprises three major lines of action: Firstly, ISPO is responsible for raising the overall awareness of the benefits of the Information Society, for example
by collecting and disseminating relevant information, by assessing the needs of both citizens and users, by acting as a contact point for European citizens, and by advising the European Commission on future
challenges.
A second line of action focuses on measures supporting the establishment of the Information Society in Europe, for instance by fostering
projects and actions which encourage best practice and demonstrate successful examples of ways to take up the policies and capabilities of the Information Society. At the same time ISPO is promoting synergy and
cooperation between ongoing initiatives at European and national levels. In a third line of action, ISPO promotes the global dimension of the Information Society by contributing to the development of global rules and
by collaborating with other regions of the world.
The Programme for Advanced Communications Technologies and Services (ACTS) constitutes the main thrust of the European Union's research efforts to accelerate
the deployment of advanced communications infrastructures and services.
It was unanimously recognised by Member States in 1994 that participation in consensus development via the ACTS Programme must
extend beyond Europe. One of the major achievements of this approach is that organisations from 38 countries now participate in technology and consensus development to European goals. The ACTS Programme is now
the foremost global framework within which communications for the 21 st century are freely discussed.
The common commitment has been of particular importance in the current period of multiplication of
different types of communications services and their simultaneous technical convergence: convergence of broadcasting and communications; convergence of fixed, mobile and satellite services; convergence of personal
computers tied to the Internet with TVs and telephones.
This convergence is happening already, but agreement on common goals is vital. This approach has been regularly reassessed through periodic strategic
audits of both research and market developments. These have recognised the shift away from the concept of integrated services to that of a multiplicity of different but interoperable services, offered in a
competitive environment using different technical infrastructures. This shift of emphasis requires the same core set of the needs of both citizens and users, by acting as TV services, interactive multi-media services,
and mobile, fixed and satellite services. The ACTS Programme has enabled European industry to successfully develop most of the technologies and agreements needed to achieve this goal. The most notable accomplishments
include world leadership in digital television, a substantial base for the next generation of multimedia mobile communications, integrating radio and satellite connections, and world leadership in network and
service management.
However, the real success is the coherence of all new communication tools. When phoning with a mobile videophone in 2002, it may well be possible to receive this call on a digital
television or to leave a video message on a PC or Internet mail box. With all these achievements, is there anything left to do? In fact, there is more than ever. The success of the Internet now provides the first real
competition to end-to-end connection between people, which was the basis of traditional telephony. This will undoubtedly stimulate further innovation. In addition, the remarkable developments in optical fibre
systems will offer yet more radical alternatives in 10-20 years time.
Industrial collaboration on these major communications themes in the 21 st century is already underway. Progress in these new areas
will depend on sustained collaboration and technology development over many years to come. "Advanced communications infrastructure is a
facilitator. It will in effect determine how smoothly and how competifively all other economic sectors in Europe can function. It is as important to our future prosperity as the provision of roads, or the ready supply
of skilled labour. Europe must have such a communications infrastructure in place if its overall economy is to rise to the challenges of global markets.
" Martin Bangemann, Member of the European Commision.
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