Implementing Information Society in the enlarged European Union: eEurope, eEurope +, and beyond Paul Verhoef Head of Unit - International Aspects DG Information Society

EU Economic Growth lags behind the US Source: Eurostat EU US

l to create ”the world’s most dynamic, competitive and socially inclusive knowledge-based economy by 2010” l strengthened economic co-ordination l fostering the knowledge based economy l improved the European social model l New methods: open method of co-ordination, best practice, monitoring and benchmarking l agreement to develop ways of actively involving the candidates in the goals and procedures of the Lisbon strategy The Lisbon Agenda

Key objectives: 1. Cheaper and faster Internet 2. Faster Internet for researchers and students 3. Secure networks and smart cards 4. European youth into the digital age 5. Working in the knowledge-based society 6. Participation for all in the knowledge-based society 7. Accelerating e-commerce 8. Government on-line: electronic access to public services 9. Intelligent transport systems 10. Health on-line 11. Digital content for global networks

Information society has developed considerably l internet penetration has grown significantly l almost every second worker using a computer at work l e-commerce between companies is growing, forcing them to adapt faster Continuing structural reforms are needed to realise the potential of the new economy l rapid development of IS technologies increases the risk of digital divide l the public sector must lead, not trail in the take-up of new technologies l new framework for electronic communications services

Internet: Europe is advancing Internet: Europe is advancing Source: European Commission, Eurobarometer

However, Inequality still remains a problem in Europe EU average 37.7% Internet penetration in households (%) (December 2001 / October 2000) Source: Eurobarometer USA: Gartner Dataquest (2001 June) % December 2001 October 2000 USA

Market growth increased substantially Source: Eurobarometer

Cost of international calls decreased significantly Source: Eurobarometer

Security % Internet users who have encountered viruses % Internet users who have encountered viruses (October 2000-June 2001) (October 2000-June 2001)

Use of security products (as % of EU-Internet users)

Benchmarking eGovernment The four stage model  1 Information: online information about public services  2 Interaction: downloading of forms,  3 Two-way interaction: processing of forms, incl. authentication,  4 Transaction: case handling; decision and delivery (payment)

Benchmarking eGovernment Income taxes: declaration, notification of assessment Job search services by labour offices Personal documents (passport and driver's licence) Application for building permission Announcement of moving (change of address) Corporation tax: declaration, notification Registration of a new company Submission of data to statistical offices Customs declarations 8 Public services for businesses 12 Public services for the citizens

Using e-government services online in %, June 2001)

Income tax declaration online

New framework for electronic communications services: Problem with current legal framework Long and complex individual licensing procedures in some Member States Not enough flexibility to cope with rapidly changing markets Not enough consistency in how rules are applied in Member States Designed for a newly liberalised market, not one moving to a fully competitive market without sector specific rules

Policy objectives for the new regulatory package of telecommunications Legal certainty Technological neutrality Minimum required regulation Harmonisation Framework Authorisations Access & Interconnection Unbundled local loop Universal service Data protection Simple market entry Clear obligations for dominant players More competition Cheaper & faster Internet access Consumer rights Privacy protection Flexibility

Services Directive (90/388/EEC) extended to: Satellite (94/46/EC) Cable (95/51/EC) Mobile (96/2/EC) Full competition (96/19/EC) Cable ownership (1999/64/EC) ONP Framework Directive (90/387/EEC amended by 97/51/EC) Licensing Directive (97/13/EC) GSM Directive (87/372/EEC) ERMES Directive (90/544/EC) DECT Directive (91/287/EEC) S-PCS Decision (97/710/EC) UMTS Decision (99/128/EC) European Emergency Number Decision (91/396/EC) International Access Code Decision (92/264/EEC) ONP leased lines Directive (92/44/EEC amended by 97/51/EC) TV standards Directive (95/47/EC) Interconnection Directive (97/33/ EC amended by 98/61/EC) Voice telephony Directive (98/10/EC) Telecoms data protection Directive (97/66/EC) Liberalisation Directive Framework Directive Authorisation Directive Access & Interconnection Directive Unbundled local loop Regulation Universal service Directive Data protection Directive The new telecoms package

Reasons for adopting an “eEUROPE-like” Action Plan: Candidates face the same economic pressure, compete in the same environment as Member States Candidates are committed to adopt the acquis, align their economies to the Internal Market Candidates can achieve substantially higher growth rates through fostering IS technologies, accelerating the real- convergence process to the EU

Events leading up to the Göteborg Summit: l European Ministerial Conference, Warsaw (11-12 May 2000) l Candidate countries decided to launch an “eEurope-like Action Plan l objectives and targets agreed and set by and for the Candidate Countries l eEurope+ launched officially in Göteborg (16 June 2001)

Key objectives: Key objectives:  establish the basic building blocks of the digital age  cheaper, faster, secure Internet  invest in people and skills  stimulate the use of the Internet Implementation is up to national governments

l Additional objective to stimulate the implementation of IS related acquis l New target for “environment on-line” l Similar indicators as those selected by EU-15 to enable comparison l Deadline of overall plan extended to 2003 to reflect the need for network development Comparison with eEurope

l First meeting of the Statistical Working Group ( February 2002) l First eEurope+ Progress Report (by May 2002) l Next Ministerial-level conference in Ljubljana, Slovenia (3-4 June 2002) Next Steps:

First wave of enlargement in 2004 New initiative: eEurope 2005, in which new member states will participate. What role Beyond 2003?

Developing the Knowledge Economy A commitment at the highest level  An e-Strategy  Integration in National Development Plans? Involvement of the private sector, civil societies? Building up the institutionsand capacity?

Knowledge Economy / Information Society is here to stay important to integrate “Knowledge-Economy- thinking” into all areas of policy making high quality data collection and assessment is needed which feeds into the policy making processes on a permanent basis technology push is likely to remain strong in ICT’s and will continue to drive the broader policy agenda in all areas of policy making Considerations for the future: