The European Commission (EC) Wed. formally launched a wide-ranging policy and regulatory strategy aimed at sparking jobs, economic growth and greater use of information and communication technologies (ICT). I2010 is a major component of the EC goal of making Europe the world’s most competitive digital economy by 2010. The initiative includes: (1) Creating a modern, market- oriented regulatory framework for information society and media markets. (2) Promoting more R&D to drive digital convergence. (3) Fostering an inclusive e-society. With broadband available to more than 85% of residents of the original 15 European Union (EU) nations, takeup is beginning to catch up to the U.S., Japan and other countries, the EC said. But the EU lags far behind its competitors in network speed. In April 2004, Japan had 15.4 million broadband subscribers, nearly 10% of whom were connected via fiber with downlink rates of up to 26 Mbps. In the EU, there were 40 million subscribers but few connections above 3 Mbps. “This disadvantage could seriously delay the introduction of new services here,” the EC said. European ICT R&D investment is also far behind that of its competitors (18% of the total R&D budget compared to more than 30% in the U.S. and other countries). The EU has earmarked 1.8 billion ($2.2 billion) annually for research in areas such as fixed and mobile communications and high-quality audiovisual content. An additional 802 million ($980 million) will promote takeup of promising ICT applications. To create a more inclusive e-society, i2010 will focus on digital libraries, using ICT to care for older people, and developing cars that automatically call emergency numbers after a crash and are equipped with short-range anti-crash radar. Incumbent telcos said they fully support the new initiative. One of its key challenges, however, will be to craft policies that continue to foster competition while creating incentives to innovate in next generation networks, said European Telecom Network Operators’ Assn. Dir. Michael Bartholomew. I2010 must provide for a comprehensive review of current sector-specific rules to “reflect recent and prospective market realities,” he said. Alternative telcos also applauded the new initiative, but warned that convergence will be successful only if the various converging sectors are competitive. “Regrettably, that is far from being the case from the telecom side where, despite the market being fully opened in 1998, effective competition is still far from sustainably established in many sectors,” the European Competitive Telecom Assn. said.
The European Commission (EC) Wed. formally launched a wide-ranging policy and regulatory strategy aimed at sparking jobs, economic growth and greater use of information and communication technologies (ICT). I2010 is a major component of the EC goal of making Europe the world’s most competitive digital economy by 2010. The initiative includes: (1) Creating a modern, market- oriented regulatory framework for information society and media markets. (2) Promoting more R&D to drive digital convergence. (3) Fostering an inclusive e-society. With broadband available to more than 85% of residents of the original 15 European Union (EU) nations, takeup is beginning to catch up to the U.S., Japan and other countries, the EC said. But the EU lags far behind its competitors in network speed. In April 2004, Japan had 15.4 million broadband subscribers, nearly 10% of whom were connected via fiber with downlink rates of up to 26 Mbps. In the EU, there were 40 million subscribers but few connections above 3 Mbps. “This disadvantage could seriously delay the introduction of new services here,” the EC said. European ICT R&D investment is also far behind that of its competitors (18% of the total R&D budget compared to more than 30% in the U.S. and other countries). The EU has earmarked 1.8 billion ($2.2 billion) annually for research in areas such as fixed and mobile communications and high-quality audiovisual content. An additional 802 million ($980 million) will promote takeup of promising ICT applications. To create a more inclusive e-society, i2010 will focus on digital libraries, using ICT to care for older people, and developing cars that automatically call emergency numbers after a crash and are equipped with short-range anti-crash radar. Incumbent telcos said they fully support the new initiative. One of its key challenges, however, will be to craft policies that continue to foster competition while creating incentives to innovate in next generation networks, said European Telecom Network Operators’ Assn. Dir. Michael Bartholomew. I2010 must provide for a comprehensive review of current sector-specific rules to “reflect recent and prospective market realities,” he said. Alternative telcos also applauded the new initiative, but warned that convergence will be successful only if the various converging sectors are competitive. “Regrettably, that is far from being the case from the telecom side where, despite the market being fully opened in 1998, effective competition is still far from sustainably established in many sectors,” the European Competitive Telecom Assn. said.
BRUSSELS -- European Commission (EC) oversight of content, TV, radio frequency management, and Internet security would be viewed through the lens of convergence, under a proposal being presented today (Wed.) by Information Society & Media Comr. Viviane Reding. The perspective shift would mean “putting all the eggs in one basket,” Reding said here Tues. at a European Telecom Network Operators’ Assn. (ETNO) conference on next- generation networks (NGNs). Acknowledging the political risk, Reding said the convergence approach is the road to success in this “fascinating time.”
An online forum on Intellectual Property in the Information Society is to be launched today (Wed.) By the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). Until June 15, stakeholders are invited to post comments about 10 main topics on the future of intellectual property. Questions include: The relation of the intellectual property system to freedom of expression and creativity, the public domain and open access models, the impact of copyright law at international and national levels on education and research, rights and responsibilities of intellectual property rights-holders, global partnerships to achieve the United Nations Millennium Development Goals, how intellectual property policy is made for the information society, emerging business models for distributing intellectual property online, and the challenges for enforcement of intellectual property rights in the digital environment. The resulting conclusions will form part of WIPO’s contribution to the World Summit of the Information Society. The forum grew out of WIPO’s effort to raise awareness about intellectual property issues, encourage debate and ensure that the intellectual property system is accessible, balanced and responsive to the needs of all stakeholders, said Rita Hayes, WIPO deputy dir. gen.
BRUSSELS -- European Commission (EC) oversight of content, TV, radio frequency management and Internet security would be viewed through the lens of convergence, under a proposal being presented today (Wed.) by Information Society & Media Comr. Viviane Reding. The perspective shift would mean “putting all the eggs in one basket,” Reding said here Tues. at a European Telecom Network Operators’ Assn. (ETNO) conference on next- generation networks (NGNs). Acknowledging the political risk, Reding said the convergence approach is the road to success in this “fascinating time.”
Tactics proposed to help resolve digital rights expression issues were backed by National Information Standards Organization (NISO) members at a recent workshop. A move to extend the Electronic Resources Management Initiative (ERMI) model beyond libraries, to nonlicensed objects and communities, drew strong NISO support. ERMI, intended to encode terms in license agreements, is a Digital Library Federation project. NISO members also said they back creation of standardized rights “bundles” akin to Creative Commons licenses. The organization urged development of core requirements for rights expression relevant to the NISO community. The group also endorsed creation of a reference model for content providers, libraries and museums that incorporates a glossary of standard terms for rights expression. NISO members pushed for better education of users and practitioners about rights and permissions. A basic reference document -- similar to NISO’s popular Understanding Metadata -- is in the works. “With rights expression languages and enforcement technologies emerging to control copyrighted content and digital media, NISO members became concerned,” said NISO Exec. Dir. Pat Harris: “Our members recognized that the dominant developments in digital rights management may not effectively address the needs and concerns of libraries and other content providers.”
The Justice Dept. (DoJ), the FBI and the Homeland Security Dept. urged careful FCC scrutiny of public safety and national security concerns before the Commission modifies or lifts a ban on airborne use of 800 MHz cellular handsets and other wireless devices. In a filing, the agencies listed safeguards they want the FCC to adopt to address law enforcement concerns.
Stuck in an “embryonic” stage of sharing cybersecurity information, many European countries look to govt. for encouragement, the head of the European Network & Information Security Agency (ENISA) said in an interview. Despite claims of willingness to work together, a lack of actual cooperation is the chief roadblock to better infrastructure protection, said ENISA Exec. Dir. Andrea Pirotti, adding that many stakeholders want national or European Union authorities to nudge them. ENISA will be the “director of the orchestra” beginning later this year, Pirotti said.
While last week’s FCC decision requiring VoIP operators to offer 911 service to their customers in 120 days presented huge challenges for Vonage and other independent VoIP operators, the decision also created a number of potential winners, as VoIP independents look for ways to address the mandate. Other VoIP firms that have some 911 functionality built into their service are using that as a selling point
Steve Seitz leaves the National Emergency Number Assn. to become vp-911 regulatory affairs at Vonage… New at Skyhook Wireless: Shikhar Ghosh, ex-Open Market, as chmn.; Kaveh Pahlavan, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, as chief technical adviser… Leonard Leech, Nashville Electric Service, becomes chmn., United Telecom Council; Joe Lackey, Southside Electric Co-op, vice chmn.; Jeff Selman, Tri-State Generation & Transmission Assn., secy.- treas… Jesus Sotomayor, Softel, joins Space Data Corp. board… Univision promotions: Christina Schwarz to vp- govt. & community relations; Ramon Pineda to vp-gen. mgr., N.Y. stations… Belo promotions: Bud Brown to pres.-gen. mgr., WWL-TV New Orleans; Deborah Wilson to pres.-gen. mgr., KING-TV and KONG-TV, Seattle/Tacoma.