Information Society DG reveals priority research areas for 2001
The European commission's Information Society DG has announced those areas in which it intends to issue calls for tenders during 2001. Calls for tenders will be launched in some or all of the following areas: - Telecommunications regulatory framework, in particular, studies related to: - regulatory implications of the introduction of new technologies and other new developments in electronic communication networks; - caller location in mobile networks; identification of relevant markets for application of Article 14 of the proposed Directive on a common regulatory framework for electronic communications networks and services: - interoperability, service diversity and business models in digital broadcasting markets: - proportionality of general interest criteria in communications markets; - two annual surveys of telecommunications services indicators with a two-year rolling contract, 2001 to 2002; - input to review of universal service obligations as required by new regulatory framework; - generating appropriate Internet indicators and metrics 2001 to 2002; - regulations and market developments regarding directory services in the EU and EEA Member States; -tariff trends for public voice telephony, leased lines and mobile services (15 Member States plus US and Japan) - prices and price models for Internet access services in the EU (1998 to 2001) law and practice on rights of way in the EU Member States; - possibility of choice in the telecommunications market; - financial reporting and cost accounting by the SMP operators in the EU; - information on the use of the radio spectrum; - preparation of WRC 03 - assessment of the licensing processes of 3G services in the European Union - the concept, structure and process relating to the 'at large' membership of ICANN )Internet corporation for assigned names and numbers); - monitor progress in the candidate countries towards integration with the EU internal telecommunications market and produce regular status reports; - regulatory reform and the expansion of markets within Africa; - study on electronic signatures. - Developments in the telecommunication and information technology industry and markets, in particular, studies related to: - study on minimal requirement for e-markets; - study on the deployment potential of new interoperable telecommunications applications and services with a high social and business value in the candidate and EEA countries. -eEurope follow-up and benchmarking, in particular, studies related to: - market and technological trends in the information security market in Europe; - Internet access costs; - government and citizen's use of Internet; - European digital content for the global network; - use of the Internet in key areas, e.g. education, health, industry; - best practice for eEurope. -Multimedia content, tools and markets, in particular, studies related to: - easing the administrative burden for business by eGovernment applications; - integrated data systems for better public sector information services to citizens and businesses; - emerging and future research needs and supporting centres of competence for cultural and scientific content; - national and regional approaches towards research initiatives and agendas for culture, arts and entertainment; - reference models for digitisation practices and coordination; - social and economic inclusiveness: role of cultural and memory organisations (archives, libraries, museums); - globalisation of European digital content - progress and prospects: - reference models for the linguistic and cultural customisation of digital content; - a European portal for the globalisation industry; - semantic web scenarios: user scenarios and applications for the semantic web development; - future perspectives for a safer Internet (illegal and harmful content). - Issues related to the information society related technologies RTD programmes, in particular, studies related to: - awareness and opinions on IST; - existing infrastructures and projection of future needs for advanced research in quantum computing, nanoscale information systems, intelligent environments and virtual presence; - costed proposals for upgrading Europe's research networks to 100 Gbit/s; - technology roadmaps in preparation of the IST specific programme proposal under FP6; - electronic transaction systems for administering the life cycle of publicly-funded research projects; - case studies of 'high-impact' projects in the ICI area; - tasks supporting the IST programme annual monitoring exercise: - tasks supporting FP6 ex ante evaluation; - IST programme: derivation of impact indicators.