Liikanen and Schröder give backing to broadband initiatives in Europe
EU Commissioner for Enterprise and the Information Society Erkki Liikanen and German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder have reiterated the need to support initiatives that foster the growth of the information society, and in particular, the deployment of broadband services. Their comments came during a high-level meeting on the subject of encouraging the growth of the information society at European and national levels on 8 May in Berlin. Much of the discussion focused on broadband and its central role in the development of applications and services, the improvement of performance and accessibility of online public services, and the promotion of a dynamic e-business environment. 'By improving quality and reducing prices, ICT [information and communication technologies] are an important enabler of innovation and organisational change that enhance productivity. The eEurope initiative is the European framework for stimulating this process,' said Mr Liikanen. The Commissioner went on to say that as part of the eEurope 2005 Action Plan, Member States are requested to deploy broadband in all public administrations by no later than 2005. The call to develop national broadband strategies was also made by the Spring European Council in March 2003. Mr Liikanen welcomed initiatives at national level that are already running in parallel with the eEurope Action Plan. One example is the German D21 initiative, which aims at encouraging the use of ICT technologies with a view to increasing competitiveness, growth and employment. 'The German Federal Government has also set 2005 as the date by which broadband will have to be the dominant way of accessing the Internet. I am convinced that the setting up of national strategies will help in realising the 2005 objectives and in accelerating the delivery of the benefits of productivity growth and increased inclusion that the information society can provide,' said the Commissioner.
Kraje
Germany