1. G Acchioni: DG Information Society and Media, Unit: Lisbon Strategy and i2010Page (1) A Digital Agenda for Europe A flagship initiative of EU2020 Strategy issues at stake in the forthcoming strategy EUSDR-presentation

2. G Acchioni: DG Information Society and Media, Unit: Lisbon Strategy and i2010Page (2) EU2020 Agenda Broadband target EU broadband Target: broadband access for all by 2013, access for all to much higher internet speeds (30 Mbps or above) by 2020, and 50% or more of European households subscribing to internet connections above 100 Mbps. Areas of work: Radio-Spectrum policy Facilitate use of structural funds; Digital Single market: borderless web services and digital content market; trust confidence, clear rights regime; adequate protection and remuneration; multi-territorial licenses, digitisation of cultural heritage Reform the research and innovation funds to reinforce Europe technology strengths in strategic fields, stimulate SME lead in emerging markets, Promote internet access and take-up by all European citizens

3. G Acchioni: DG Information Society and Media, Unit: Lisbon Strategy and i2010Page (3) EU 2020 agenda Action for Member States To draw up operational high speed internet strategies, To use public funding, including structural funds, on areas not fully served by private investments; To establish a legal framework for co-ordinating public works to reduce costs of network rollout;

4. G Acchioni: DG Information Society and Media, Unit: Lisbon Strategy and i2010Page (4) Public consultation on Post i2010 EU policy Public consultation on the "Priorities for a new strategy for a European Information Society" : 4 August 2009 until 12 October 2009. (EN, FR, DE, IT, ES, PL). Almost 1000 responses: 843 responses to the online public consultation 127 position papers by stakeholders. [When consulted in 2004 on what was to become i2010, EC received 70 responses.] 65% of the respondents were individual citizens; 35% of the respondents replied on behalf of an organisation.

5. G Acchioni: DG Information Society and Media, Unit: Lisbon Strategy and i2010Page (5) Emerging policy priorities for a Digital Agenda for Europe 1. Internet Opennes Openness of the internet is considered to be the key policy priority (90%). Citizens top priorities open standards, net neutrality (non discrimination of data/services), and interoperability/open standards. Organisations top priorities: open standards, interoperability/portability of services and end-to-end connectivity. Issues for the global scene: Openness of the internet internet free of censorship and traffic restrictions, global standards, security, protection of critical infrastructure

6. G Acchioni: DG Information Society and Media, Unit: Lisbon Strategy and i2010Page (6) Emerging policy priorities for a Digital Agenda for Europe 2. Increase Broadband and NGA availability The need for increased broadband deployment and early investment in NGN: Issue is seen as very relevant for increased productivity, economic growth, and meeting the global demand in internet traffic. Public sector investment in passive telecom infrastructures (civil engineering: ducts, masts, dark fibre) seen as a key action by 88% of respondents complemented by stimulation of private sector action in developing new network services (active layer of network) market opening and transparency received a high level of support

7. G Acchioni: DG Information Society and Media, Unit: Lisbon Strategy and i2010Page (7) Emerging policy priorities for a Digital Agenda for Europe 3.Internet access targets European right of access to the internet: respondents consider the most useful targets non-discrimination of services, transparency, speed. Most of the citizens are against targets being differentiated between Member States the majority of organisation is in favour of differentiation.

8. G Acchioni: DG Information Society and Media, Unit: Lisbon Strategy and i2010Page (8) Emerging policy priorities for a Digital Agenda for Europe 4. A more flexible copyright regime Proposed mechanisms to promote access to digital content: Promoting alternative open licensing schemes Easing the complexity of copyright management Different views: Citizens focus on alternative open licensing schemes Organisations focus on easing the complexity of copyright management.

9. G Acchioni: DG Information Society and Media, Unit: Lisbon Strategy and i2010Page (9) Emerging policy priorities for a Digital Agenda for Europe 5. User rights The top three most important user rights : For organisations: 1.managing online privacy, 2.universal access to the internet, 3.interoperability of services. For citizens: 1.net neutrality, 2.managing online privacy 3.universal access to the internet 65% citizens and 53% of organisations see EU regulation as a way to enforce user rights.

10. G Acchioni: DG Information Society and Media, Unit: Lisbon Strategy and i2010Page (10) Emerging policy priorities for a Digital Agenda for Europe 6. ICT research Strategic areas for ICT research: energy & environment, software products and services education and culture. Europe was considered to a world leader in energy & environment and education & culture, But our position in software & services is at risk. Other top areas of risk were network technologies and web services.

11. G Acchioni: DG Information Society and Media, Unit: Lisbon Strategy and i2010Page (11) Emerging policy priorities for a Digital Agenda for Europe 7. Call for a better integration of digital inclusion into social inclusion policies Proposals: Promoting exchange of good practices Monitor and benchmark national actions at EU level. The third most important step for citizens is the redistributing and restructuring of competences in public authorities, for organisation prefer focusing on the need for more integrated policies.

12. G Acchioni: DG Information Society and Media, Unit: Lisbon Strategy and i2010Page (12) Emerging policy priorities for a Digital Agenda for Europe 8.Stimulating investments in low-carbon infrastructure Proposals for: regulatory changes, Public funding: EU, National, regional/local etc. Market mechanisms. A clear case of cost/benefit analysis is demanded. Need to focus on: Lack of knowledge and costs. Lack of visibility of the ecological footprint that daily consumption patterns have: Little data, no clear information to consumer Call for more information on how to green ones footprint: (e: guiding purchase of products and services). Costs of new business models are still perceived to be higher.

13. G Acchioni: DG Information Society and Media, Unit: Lisbon Strategy and i2010Page (13) EU Broadband Penetration Rate July 2009

14. G Acchioni: DG Information Society and Media, Unit: Lisbon Strategy and i2010Page (14) Growth in DSL rural coverage as % population 2005-2008 From 66% in 2005 to 77 % in 2008

15. G Acchioni: DG Information Society and Media, Unit: Lisbon Strategy and i2010Page (15) Broadband Coverage n the Danube Area National Coverage: Most of the new MSs part of the Danube except for DE and AT are well below the EU27 average of 93% with RO, BG and PL registering rates below 70%. Rural Coverage: situation even worse, BG, RO, PL and SK with a rural coverage between 20% and 50% against an EU27 average of 77%. Recently published strategic report of cohesion policy (COM(2010)110 of 31/3/2010) reveals that absorption rate of structural funds in the domain of broadband infrastructure is low across the EU27: 18.1%. For most MSs in the Danube area except for HU and SL this rate is close to 0%. Particularly worrying for MSs with very low broadband coverage. Need to reinforce regional capacity to plan, manage and implement broadband actions: lack of experience, lack of skills, poor coordination among different ministries and different level of government tends to undermine the capacity to execute expenditure. MS and regions should reinforce exchange of good practice, benchmarking activities to avoid to reinvent the wheel. Coordination with rural development authorities is essential to provide coverage in rural areas particularly in MSs which earmarked Rural development expenditure for broadband within the context of the European Economic Recovery Plan.

16. G Acchioni: DG Information Society and Media, Unit: Lisbon Strategy and i2010Page (16) Broadband Penetration in Danube Area All MSs of the Danube areas except for DE have a Broadband penetration below the EU27 average of 23.9% with AT scoring 22.1%; BG scoring worst with only 11.9% closely followed by RO, PL, SK. Low penetration levels tend to be affected by low level of education, digital literacy, and low income. The high cost and low quality of services tend to depress demand even further. PC ownership is also a problem among low income families. There is a need to balance support for broadband supply actions (in support of infrastructure) with action in support of demand particularly among low education, low income and low ICT skilled families/individuals. Some member states/regions are implementing these measure in close coordination with each other to prevent large gaps between broadband access and penetration. Local and regional authorities need to be supported in this effort. Structural Funds authorities should seriously consider the use of Technical Assistance aimed at reinforcing local and regional capacity to plan and implement broadband actions. The establishment of ICT competence Centres at national and/or regional level may help in providing specific assistance to these authorities, run regional benchmarking and facilitate the exchange of good practices with other MSs/regions.

17. G Acchioni: DG Information Society and Media, Unit: Lisbon Strategy and i2010Page (17) Whats Next 2/3 to 7/5 2010 Public consultation on Universal service principles in e-communications;Universal service principles in e-communications Mid May: Publication of « Digital Agenda » End of June: Publication of « EU Broadband Strategy » January 2011 EU Event on Broadband in Rural Areas Brussels

18. G Acchioni: DG Information Society and Media, Unit: Lisbon Strategy and i2010Page (18) For further information Further information DG Information Society Portal: http://ec.europa.eu/information_society/index_en.htm http://ec.europa.eu/information_society/index_en.htm I2010 portal: http://europa.eu.int/information_society/eeurope/i2010/i2010/index _en.htm http://europa.eu.int/information_society/eeurope/i2010/i2010/index _en.htm Digital Divide: http://europa.eu.int/information_society/eeurope/i2010/digital_divid e/index_en.htm http://europa.eu.int/information_society/eeurope/i2010/digital_divid e/index_en.htm European Broadband Portal: http://www.broadband-europe.eu/ )http://www.broadband-europe.eu/ B3Regions: Thematic Network on Broadband good practice exchange http://www.b3regions.eu/ http://www.b3regions.eu/