Less focus on technology and more on user needs, says eEurope report
A mid term progress report on the eEurope 2005 Action Plan, adopted by the Commission on 19 February, has welcomed the inroads made by Member States and accession countries in rolling out broadband access and getting public services online. However, the report warns that despite these 'positive signs', more effort is needed to share experience and tailor services to user needs, rather than just focusing on installing new technology or applications. For this to happen, it says, 'strong political leadership' is required. 'eEurope is a key element of our approach to boosting productivity and competitiveness in the European Union,' said Erkki Liikanen, Commissioner for Enterprise and the Information Society. 'It has started to take root, but this report shows that acting in partnership with Member States, we now need to shift up a gear.' Highlighting the positive progress made, the report notes that the share of basic government services fully available online rose from 17 to 43 per cent in the two years to October 2003. Furthermore, the number of broadband connections in October 2003 was almost double the amount of a year previously, and 'strong progress' has also been made in a number of policy areas. However, the Commission believes that efforts should now be focused towards different priorities. These could include interoperability, standards and multi platform access, exchange of practical experiences, content for high speed services, and business models for e-services. A clearer picture is also needed of regional differences, as are strategies to overcome the so called digital divide. The report reviews progress and suggests a practical course of action in several priority areas of the eEurope Action Plan. Regarding e-learning, for instance, the fact that almost all schools and training centres in Europe are now online is welcomed, but the Commission stresses that effective e-learning requires high speed access, adequately trained staff, and courses adapted to make use of online services with good educational content. In the e-business sector, data reveals a steady increase in the volume of goods being bought and sold online, and according to the Commission, the legal framework for e-business is taking shape. However, more needs to be done to fully integrate information and communication technologies (ICTs) into business processes, says the report. The report's key message, therefore, is that while much has been achieved in terms of providing basic infrastructure and services, in order to realise the goal of a truly knowledge based society, the focus must now switch to high quality content and services, interoperable technologies and adequate training and use of ICTs by citizens and businesses alike.