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Subject: Rec to the EU Council Europe and the GII -- sorry for the format but .... djf
transport industry and unions byend 1994. Definition of standards for
communication procedures and the exchange of data and voice messages
between ATC-centres as well as between ATC-centres and aeroplanes.
A functioning trans-European system before the year 2000.
Application Seven
HEALTHCARE NETWORKS
Less costly and more effective healthcare systems for Europe's citizens
What should be done? Create a direct communication "network of
networks" based on common standards linking general practitioners,
hospitals and social centres on a European scale.
Who will do it? The private sector, insurance companies, medical
associations and Member State healthcare systems, with the European
Union promoting standards and portable applications. Once telecom
operators make available the required networks at reduced rates, the
private sector will create competitively priced services at a
European level, boosting the productivity and cost-effectiveness of
the whole healthcare sector.
Who gains? Citizens as patients will benefit from a substantial
improvement in healthcare (improvement in diagnosis through on-line
access to European specialists, on-line reservation of analysis and
hospital services by practitioners extended on European scale,
transplant matching, etc.). Tax payers and public administrations
will benefit from tighter cost control and cost savings in healthcare
spending and a speeding up of reimbursement procedures.
Issues to watch? Privacy and the confidentiality of medical records
will need to be safeguarded.
What target? Major private sector health care providers linked on a
European scale. First level implementation of networks in Member
States linking general practitioners, specialists and hospitals at a
regional and national level by end 1995.
Application Eight
ELECTRONIC TENDERING
More effective administration at lower cost
What should be done? Introduction of electronic procedures for
public procurement between public administrations and suppliers in
Europe followed by the creation of a European Electronic Tendering
Network. This programme will function as a strong enabling mechanism
for attaining critical mass in the telematic services market in
Europe.
Who will do it? European Council and Member States decide to agree
on common standards and to introduce a mandatory commitment to
electronic handling of information, bidding and payments related to
public procurement. Telecom operators and service providers will
enableusers to access to the European Electronic Tendering Network.
Who gains? PublicAdministrations will benefit from cost savings in
replacing paper handling with electronic handling and from the more
competitive environment between suppliers drawn from the wider
internal market. Small and medium sized enterprises will benefit from
participating in trans-European public procurement and from the
diffusion of telematic services.
Issues to watch? Data security, the need to ensure open access
particularly for SMEs, to avoid electronic procurement developing
into a hidden form of protectionism. Take proper account of similar
programmes developed in third countries, particularly the US (CALS).
What target? A critical mass of 10% of awarding authorities using
electronic procedures for their procurement needs could be attained
in the next two to three years.
Application Nine
TRANS-EUROPEAN PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION NETWORK
Better government, cheaper government
What should be done? Interconnected networks between Public
Administrations networks in Europe, aiming at providing an effective
and less expensive (replacement of paper by electronic means)
information interchange. Subsequently extended to link public
administrations and European citizens.
Who will do it? European Union and Member States should strengthen
and speed up the implementation of the programme for Interchange of
Data between Administrations (IDA). The private sector will increase
its co-operation with the European Union and Member States in
defining technical solutions for the provision of interoperable
services and interconnectable networks, while supporting national and
local authorities in the testing and implementation of networks and
services for citizens.
Who gains? The unification process for the single market, with
general benefits in lower costs and better relations between public
administrations and European citizens.
What target? Implementation of interconnected networks allowing
interchange in the tax, customs and excise, statistical, social
security, health care domains, etc., by 1995-96.
Application Ten
CITY INFORMATION HIGHWAYS
Bringing the information society into the home
What should be done? Set up networks providing households with a
network access system and the means of using on-line multimedia and
entertainment services on a local, regional, and national and
international basis.
Who will do it? Groups of content and service providers
(broadcasters, publishers), network operators (telecoms
organisations, cable), system suppliers/integrators (e.g. consumer
electronic industry). Local and regional authorities, citizens
groups, chambers of commerce and industry, will have very important
roles to play.
Who gains? Consumers will enjoy early experience of complex new
services, particulary multimedia services, and will be able to
express their preferences in the fields of entertainment (video on
demand), transaction-oriented services (banking, home shopping etc.)
as well as gaining access to information services and teleworking or
telelearning.
Public authorities will gain experience with issues such as privacy,
IPR protection, standardisation which will be helpful in defining a
single legal and regulatory environment.
Private sector participants will gain early hands-on experience of
consumer preferences for programmes, software and services. User
interfaces can be tested and improved in practice.
What target? Install and operate in up to five European cities with
up to 40,000 households per city by 1997.
_________________________________________________________________
CHAPTER 5
FINANCING THE INFORMATION SOCIETY - A TASK FOR THE PRIVATE SECTOR
It is neither possible nor necessary at this stage to be precise
about the amount of investment that will be generated by the
development of the information infrastructure and related services
and applications. Analyses made of the US market remain highly
questionable, although there is no doubt that the total investment
required over the next 5 to 10 years will be considerable.
The Group believes the creation of the information society in Europe
should be entrusted to the private sector and to market forces.
The Group believes the creation of the information society in
Europe should be entrusted to the private sector and to market
forces.
Private capital will be available to fund new telecoms services and
infrastructures providing that the different elements of this
Report's Action Plan are implemented so that:
* market liberalisation is fast and credible
* rules for interoperability and reciprocal access are set
* tariffs are adjusted
* the regulatory framework is established
There will be no need for public subsidies, because sufficient
confidence will have been established to attract the required
investment from private sources.
Ultimately, it is market growth that is perceived as the real
guarantee for private investors, rendering subsidies and monopolies
superfluous.
Public investment will assume a role, but not by any increase in the
general level of public spending - rather by a refocusing of existing
expenditure. Indeed, some of the investment that public authorities
will have to undertake to develop applications in areas of their own
responsibility will generate productivity gains and an improvement in
the quality of services that should, if properly handled, lead to
savings.
In addition to some refocusing of expenditure on R&D, modest amounts
of public money may also be useful to support awareness campaigns
mainly directed at small and medium sized businesses and individual
consumers.
The Group recommends refocusing existing public funding more
specifically to target the requirements of the information
society. At the Union level, this may require some reorientation
of current allocations under such headings as the Fourth Framework
Programme for research and development and the Structural Funds.
The same is true for expenditure at the European Union which can
achieve important results by a better focusing of existing resources,
including finance available under both the Fourth Framework Programme
funding R&D, and under the Structural Funds.
The Commission has also proposed limited support for some of the
services and applications included in the Group's Action Plan from
funds linked to the promotion of trans-European networks. These
proposals deserve support.
_________________________________________________________________
CHAPTER 6
FOLLOW-UP
With this Report the Group has completed its mandate and provided
recommendations for action. Our recommendations should be regarded as
a coherent whole, the full benefits of which can only be reaped if
action is taken in all areas.
Given the urgency and importance of the tasks ahead, the Group
believes that at Union level there must be one Council capable of
dealing with the full range of issues associated with the
information society. With this in mind, each Member States may
wish to nominate a single minister to represent it in a Council of
Ministers dedicated to the information society. The Commission
should act similarly.
The Group calls for the establishment by the Commission of a Board
composed of eminent figures from all sectors concerned, including
the social partners, to work on the framework for implementing the
information society and to promote public awareness of its
opportunities and challenges. This Board should report at regular
intervals to the institutions of the Union on progress made on the
implementation of the recommendations contained in this report.
_________________________________________________________________
AN ACTION PLAN - SUMMARY OF RECOMMENDATIONS
Regulatory Framework
Evolving the regulatory domain
Member States should accelerate the ongoing process of liberalisation
of the Telecom sector by :
* opening up to competition infrastructures and services still in
the monopoly area
* removing non-commercial political burdens and budgetary
constraints imposed on telecommunications operators
* setting clear timetables and deadlines for the implementation of
practical measures to achieve these goals.
An authority should be established at European level whose terms of
reference will require prompt attention.
Interconnection and Interoperability
Interconnection of networks and interoperability of services and
applications should be primary Union objectives. The European
standardisation process should be reviewed in order to increase its
speed and responsiveness to markets.
Tariffs
As a matter of urgency the international, long distance and leased
line tariffs should be adjusted to bring these down into line with
rates practised in other advanced industrialised regions. The
adjustment should be accompanied by the fair sharing of public service
obligations among operators.
Critical Mass
Public awareness should be promoted. Particular attention should be
paid to the small and medium-sized business sector, public
administrations and the younger generation.
Worldwide Dimension
The openness of the European market should find its counterpart in
markets and networks of other regions of the world. It is of paramount
importance for Europe that adequate steps should be taken to guarantee
equal access.
Completing the agenda
The Information Society is global. Union action should aim to
establish a common and agreed regulatory framework for the protection
of intellectual property rights, privacy and security of information
in Europe and, where appropriate, internationally.
IPRs
Intellectual property protection must rise to the new challenges of
globalisation and multimedia, and must continue to have a high
priority at both European and international levels.
Privacy
Without the legal security of a Union-wide approach, lack of consumer
confidence will certainly undermine the rapid development of the
information society. Given the importance and sensitivity of the
privacy issue, a fast decision from Member States is required on the
Commission's proposed Directive setting out general principles of data
protection.
Electronic protection, legal protection and security
Work at the European level on electronic and legal protection as well
as security should be accelerated.
Media ownership
Urgent attention should be given to the question of how we can avoid
divergent national legislation on media ownership undermining the
internal market. Effective rules must emerge to protect pluralism and
competition.
Competition
Competition is a key element in Europe's strategy. The application of
competition rules should reflect the reality of the newly emerging
global markets and the speed of change in the environment.
Building blocks
Networks
Priority has to be given to the extension of the availability of
EURO-ISDN, in line with current Commission proposals, and reductions
in tariffs to foster the market.
The Council should support the implementation of the European
Broadband Infrastructure and secure its interconnectivity with the
whole of European telecom, cable television and satellite networks.
A European Broadband Steering Committee involving all relevant actors
should be set up in order to develop a common vision and to monitor
and facilitate the realisation of the overall concept through, in
particular, demonstrations, and choice and definition of standards.
With regard to mobile and satellite communications :
* tariffs for mobile communications should be reduced
* GSM should be promoted in Europe and internationally
* a regulatory framework for satellite communications should be
established
* the European satellite industry should be urged to develop common
priority projects and to participate actively in the development
of world-wide systems.
Basic services
The provision and widespread use of standard trans-European basic
services, including electronic mail, file transfer, video services,
should be promoted by urgent and coherent action at both the European
and Member State levels.
The Commission should initiate the creation of a " European Basic
Services Forum" to accelerate the availability of unified standards
for basic services.
Applications
Initiatives in the application domain are the most effective means of
addressing the slow take-off of demand and supply. They have a
demonstration function which would help promoting their use. The Group
has identified the following initiatives :
* Teleworking
* Distance learning
* University and research networks
* Telematic services for SMEs
* Road traffic management
* Air traffic control
* Health care networks
* Electronic tendering
* Trans-European public administration network
* City information highways.
Financing
The creation of the information society should be entrusted to the
private sector and to the market forces.
The existing public funding should be refocused more specifically to
target the requirements of the information society. At the Union
level, this may require some reorientation of current allocations
under such headings as the Fourth Framework Programme for research and
development and the Structural Funds.
Follow-up
Given the urgency and importance of the tasks ahead, there must be, at
Union level, one Council capable of dealing with the full range of
issues associated with the information society. With this in mind,
each Member State may wish to nominate a single minister to represent
it in a Council of Ministers dedicated to the information society. The
Commission should act similarly.
A Board composed of eminent figures from all sectors concerned,
including the social partners, should be established by the Commission
to work on the framework for implementing the information society and
to promote public awareness of its opportunities and challenges. This
Board should report at regular intervals to the institutions of the
Union on progress made on the implementation of the recommendations
contained in this Report.
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