Only 2 to 3 per cent are hooked up to data networks. In comparison with other leading industrial countries like the United States and Japan, Germany is lagging far behind on its rate of Internet connections. The rates of growth are impressive, but we are still at a low level. Further initiatives are needed. We are not aiming to sing an uncritical hymn of praise about the new information and communications technologies.
Business people think, calculate and act soberly.
We are therefore trying to explain the costs and benefits of the new technologies to the companies in a specific and competent manner. Electronic commerce basically works via telecommunications, and telecommunications mean costs. The lower the costs of telecommunications, the more it makes sense to prepare and conduct business transactions electronically. It is a very simple calculation. We can spend a lot of time explaining the benefits of electronic markets and business processes.