COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES 
Brussels, 20.03.1996 
COM(96) 108 final 
95/0124 (COD) 
Amended proposal for a 
EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND COUNCIL DECISION 
on a series of guidelines for trans-European telecommunications networks 
(presented by the Commission pursuant to Article 189 a (2) 
of the EC-Treaty) 

EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM 
1. Introduction 
1.1 On 31 May 1995 the Commission adopted a proposal for a European Parliament and 
Council Decision on a series of guidelines for trans-European telecommunications networks 
(COM(95)224 final). This proposal was submitted to the European Parliament and the Council 
on 8 June 1995. 
1.2 The Economic and Social Committee endorsed the proposal on 22 November 1995. 
1.3 The Council reached agreement on the proposal on 27 November 1995. 
1.4 The Committee of the Regions endorsed the proposal on 18 January 1996. 
1.5 The European Parliament adopted its opinion on first reading on 1 February 1996. This 
proposed 35 amendments to the text originally proposed by the Commission. 
1.6 The Commission can accept 13 of these amendments, 5 others in part and 4 more in 
principle. It is unable to accept the remaining 13 amendments. 
1.7 The reasons which prompted the Commission to take these positions on the 
amendments are explained in Section 3 below. The full text of the original proposal (left-hand 
column) is set out alongside the full text of the amended proposal (right-hand column) in Annex 
1. 
2. Objective of the proposal 
The objective of this proposal is for the European Parliament and Council to adopt, following 
the codecision procedure, a series of guidelines (as provided for by Article 129c of the Treaty 
on European Union) covering the objectives, priorities and broad lines of measures envisaged 
and the domains for projects of common interest in the field of trans-European 
telecommunications networks. In the domains for projects of common interest identified in 
Annex 1 to the Decision, it is proposed that the Commission publish calls for proposals in order 
to select specific projects of common interest, with the assistance of a type Ilia committee, based 
on a work programme updated whenever necessary (probably every year). 
The proposal gives priority to applications of collective interest where, in the context of opening 
up the sector to competition, public intervention, particularly in the form of encouraging 
partnerships between the public and private sectors, can provide citizens, businesses and 
administrations in the Community with a series of instruments needed for them to enter the 
information society. 
3. Commission's position on the amendments proposed by the European Parliament on 
first reading 
3.1 Amendments accepted 
The Commission accepts amendments 1, 2 (first part), 3, 4, 7 (first part), 10, 11 (with one minor 
amendment), 15, 16 (first part), 20, 22 (with one minor amendment), 24, 25, 26, 27 (first part), 
28, 31 (first part) and 34. 
Amendment 1 clarifies the first recital and calls for particular attention to be paid to SMEs and 
the less developed or peripheral regions. 
The first part of amendment 2 stresses the importance of the Euro-ISDN which is the network 
on which the trans-European applications will be deployed in the immediate future. 
Amendment 3 adds a new recital rightly stressing the need for coordination with other initiatives. 
This need is also echoed in point 4 of Annex 1. 
Amendment 4 improves the original wording to render the same idea. 
The first part of amendment 7 puts the accent on real needs not covered by mere market forces; 
these correspond to the applications of collective interest for which priority is proposed. 
Amendments 10 and 15 bring the text closer to the wording of the Treaty. 
Amendment 11 is a useful addition; only the word "technical" to describe the transition towards 
the information society must be deleted, as it is overrestrictive. 
The first part of amendment 16 is justified as it clarifies the real nature of the work programme 
prepared by the Commission at this stage. 
Amendment 20 provides a reminder that the guidelines applicable to Euro-ISDN are adopted by 
the European Parliament and the Council. 
The first part of amendment 22 is acceptable since the text deleted has been moved to 
amendment 23. The second part rightly stresses the importance of providing non-proprietary 
tools for development of new applications. However, it seems unrealistic to require the generic 
services to provide such tools. It is therefore proposed to replace "providing" by "promoting". 
Amendment 24 is a useful addition to the point on "distance education and training". 
Amendment 25 adds to the point on "transport telematics" the domains which Parliament gave 
priority when adopting the provisions on the trans-European transport network. 
Amendment 26 draws attention to important social aspects of teleworking. 
The first part of amendment 27 (excluding "gradual approximation of conditions and terms of 
employment" which appears unrealistic) is a useful addition to the point on "telematic services 
for the job market". 
Amendment 28 is a useful addition to the point on "cultural and linguistic heritage". 
The first part of amendment 31 rightly extends the media which can be used for generic services 
to include emerging fixed or mobile networks. 
Amendment 34 is an acceptable simplification. 
3.2 Amendments acceptable in principle 
Amendments 6, 8, 23 and 35 (second part) are acceptable in principle. The proposal is to adopt 
the ideas in more appropriate form. 
Amendment 6 stresses (although the wording can be improved) the need for coordination 
between Community programmes and that the projects of common interest are projects to 
produce applications (which, although well-founded, must not preclude a demonstration or 
validation phase before moving on to full deployment of the project to check in a limited, but 
representative geographical area that the application actually provides the service expected in 
conditions economically acceptable to users). Recital 16 therefore now reads: 
'Whereas effective coordination needs to be ensured between the implementation of the trans-
European telecommunications networks, which must address real-world concerns, excluding 
experimental projects, and the different Community programmes, particularly the specific 
programmes of the fourth framework programme for research, technological development and 
demonstration, the programmes in favour of SMEs and with information content oriented 
programmes (such as INFO 2000, Media 2) and other information society activities. " 
Amendment 8 mentions the need to use, on a synergetic basis, all appropriate forms of aid for 
TEN activities, as advocated by the Commission in the fifth paragraph of Annex 1. Since 
references are made elsewhere in the text to the Structural Funds, the benefits for the internal 
market and strengthening industrial competitiveness and economic and social cohesion, repetition 
of these points here only complicates the text. The proposal is therefore to amend recital 19 to 
read: 
" ... of Community financial aid in the field of trans-European networks; whereas, nevertheless, 
use should also be made, on a synergetic basis and in line with their specific rules, of the 
Community financial instruments which can favour implementation of the lines of action in the 
sphere of trans-European telecommunications networks, with a view to deriving maximum benefit 
from coordination of the different sources of funding; whereas, following the abovementioned 
Regulation, the concerned Member State shall give ..." 
Amendment 23 includes points deleted by amendments 22 and 29 and applies to all applications. 
This idea is acceptable, but the part on local languages must leave open the possibility of access 
to non-professional services in a language other than the local language. Also, it is not possible 
to assess the social and societal impact of each application (see the comments on amendment 
12, point 2 in section 3.3 below) and this section is therefore too binding. Under the 
circumstances, the amendment accepted reads: 
"Applications must take account, where necessary, of local linguistic constraints and be 
interoperable between themselves to bring the maximum benefit to the users across the 
Communiiv. Thev must address the widest possible populations of users and facilitate users' 
access to services of collective interest." 
The second part of amendment 35 adds a definition of the "transnational" nature of the projects 
which was included, in more appropriate form, in a declaration made by the Commission during 
the negotiations within the Council. The proposal is to amend Parliament's proposal as follows: 
"... Article 3. These projects must be transnational in the sense that they shall be conceived to 
satisfy needs existing in several Member States and to be implemented in several Member 
States. This does not prevent the initial phase of their deployment, designed to check the 
technical and commercial viability of the project, from being carried out in a single Member 
State, if it appears that the conditions prevailing in this Member State are representative of those 
existing in the other Member States where the project should ultimately be implemented. " 
3.3 Amendments which cannot be accepted 
These are amendments 2 (second part), 5, 7 (second part), 9, 12, 13, 14, 16 (second part), 17, 
18, 19, 21, 27 (second part), 29, 30, 31 (second part), 32, 33 and 35 (first part). 
The second part of amendment 2 indicating the nature of the project selection criteria is 
superfluous since the criteria are specified in Annex 2. 
Amendment 5 suggests that broadband networks will not be available until the distant future; 
this is incorrect, even though they are still far from generally available. 
The second part of amendment 7. amendments 17. 18 and 21 and the final sentence of 
amendment 16 amend the committee procedure proposed and deviate from the modus vivendi 
between the three institutions. The Commission proposes to keep to this agreement. A new 
recital 18a has therefore been added reading: 
"Whereas on 20 December 1994 the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission 
reached a modus vivendi concerning the implementing measures for acts adopted in accordance 
with the procedure laid down in Article 189b of the EC Treaty"; 
The first part of amendment 9 is contrary to the Community's traditional approach to 
interoperability, which recommends voluntary standards with regulation only at a later stage if 
the voluntary approach proves to generate interoperability problems at trans-European level. The 
final part makes the scope of this recital too general. 
Amendment 12 calls for a number of comments: 
1. The setting of an order of priority within the list of priorities is unacceptable in view 
of the flexibility which must be maintained in order to adapt to the situation of the sector and 
to the rapid development of the communications system when preparing the annual work 
programme. 
2. The amendments at the start of paragraphs (a) and (c) require systematic assessment of the 
social consequences before any deployment of generic services and applications. It should be 
noted that the identification criteria (Annex 2) include the direct or indirect socio-economic 
effects of each project. It does not seem possible to go beyond this and assess the social and 
societal effects of each project (as far as this would make any sense). It is more appropriate to 
monitor the more general impact by assessing the effect of a series of applications introduced 
over a specified period, whatever the origin. Moreover, the amendment at the end of paragraph 
(c) deals with specific applications, which belong in Annex 1 and not in an article concerning 
the general priorities. 
3. As regards the new paragraph (h), the conditions for cooperation with third countries are set 
out in Article 12. Such cooperation must be considered an advantage for some projects, but not 
a systematic priority. 
As regards amendment 13. the comment made on the second part of amendment 1 applies. 
Amendment 14 mentions improvement of communication in the sphere of public administration. 
However, this is not a general measure but a domain for action, which, logically, belongs in 
Annex 1. 
The addition before the final sentence of amendment 16 calls for the work programme to 
identify specific measures according to social or regional criteria to integrate individuals into all 
domains of the information society. This manifestly imposes an extremely ambitious objective, 
which is not the purpose of the work programme. 
Amendment 19 defines the substance of the support and coordination activities which, more 
logically, come under point 4 in Annex 1. 
The second part of amendment 27 is unrealistic. To harmonize conditions of employment in the 
Community, measures other than any effects of the use of trans-European telematics services for 
job hunting are needed. 
Amendment 29 deleting the point on "Citizens' access to services" is unacceptable; this domain 
is of great social importance. 
Amendment 30 adds applications already covered by Annex 1, either under point 1 on research 
networks or under point 2 on generic services. 
The second part of amendment 31 adds unnecessary details. 
Amendment 32 duplicates amendment 22 which applies to all generic services. 
Amendment 33 adds unnecessary details. 
The first part of amendment 35 introduces oversubjective selection criteria (exemplarity and 
value as an incentive and a multiplier). 
4. Conclusion 
The Commission recommends that Parliament and the Council approve the amended proposal 
set out in Annex 1. 
Amended proposal for a Annex 1 
EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND COUNCIL DECISION 
on a series of guidelines for trans-European telecommunications networks 
Original proposal Amended proposal 
THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND 
THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN 
UNION, 
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the 
European Community, and in particular the 
first paragraph of Article 129d thereof, 
Having regard to the proposal from the 
Commission, Unchanged. 
Having regard to the opinion of the 
Economic and Social Committee, 
Having regard to the opinion of the 
Committee of the Regions, 
1. Whereas the implementation and the 
development of trans-European 
telecommunications networks aim at ensuring 
the circulation and the exchange of 
information across the Union; whereas this is 
a pre-condition to make possible the 
establishment of the "information society", 
which will result from the availability, for 
each citizen, company or public authority 
everywhere in the Union, of any kind and 
quantity of information they need: 1. Whereas the implementation and the 
development of trans-European 
telecommunications networks aim at ensuring 
the circulation and the exchange of 
information across the Union; whereas this is 
a pre-condition to enable citizens and 
industry - especially SMEs - in the Union to 
derive full benefit from the potential of 
telecommunications so as to make possible 
the establishment of the "information 
society", in which the development of 
applications, services and telecommunications 
networks will be of crucial importance with 
a view to ensuring the availability, for each 
citizen, company or public authority 
everywhere in the Union, including the less 
developed or peripheral regions, of any kind 
and quantity of information they need; 
2. Whereas, in the White Paper on "Growth, 
Competitiveness and Employment", the 
Commission stressed the importance of 
establishing the information society, which, 
by introducing new forms of economic, 
political and social relations, will help the 
Union to face the new challenges of the next 
century, including the challenge of 
employment creation; whereas this has been 
recognized by the Brussels European Council 
of December 1993; Unchanged. 
3. Whereas the internal market establishes 
an area without borders, within which the 
free circulation of goods, persons, capital and 
services has to be ensured, and where already 
adopted Community measures, and other 
measures still to be adopted, imply 
significant exchange of information between 
individuals, organizations and 
administrations; whereas efficient means of 
exchanging information are vital for the 
improvement of industrial competitiveness; 
whereas these exchanges of information can 
be assured by trans-European 
telecommunications networks; whereas the 
availability of trans-European networks will 
strengthen social and economic cohesion at 
Union level; Unchanged. 
4. Whereas the implementation and the Unchanged, 
development of trans-European 
telecommunications networks should ensure 
that information is freely exchanged between 
individuals, organizations and 
administrations, while respecting the privacy 
rights of individuals and intellectual and 
industrial property rights; 
5. Whereas, in June 1994, in their report on Unchanged. 
"Europe and the global information society", 
the members of a group of prominent 
representatives of industry recommended to 
the Council to implement trans-European 
telecommunications networks and to secure 
their interconnectivity with the whole of 
European networks; whereas the June 1994 
Corfu European Council gave its general 
approval to this recommendation; 
6. Whereas the communication of the Unchanged. 
Commission to the Council and the European 
Parliament "Europe's way to the Information 
Society: an Action Plan", follows these 
recommendations; whereas the conclusions of 
the Industry-Telecommunications Council 
meeting on 28 September 1994 on this action 
plan stressed the fact that the rapid 
development of efficient information 
infrastructures (networks, services and 
applications) on the basis of a global, 
coherent and balanced approach is 
indispensable to Europe; 
7. Whereas Article 129c of the Treaty Unchanged, 
requires that the Community shall establish a 
series of guidelines covering the objectives, 
priorities and broad lines of measures to be 
implemented in the sphere of trans-European 
networks; whereas these guidelines shall 
identify projects of common interest; 
8. Whereas the information society cannot Unchanged, 
develop without the availability of 
applications, and especially applications of 
collective interest, optimally answering user 
needs, taking into account, where appropriate, 
the needs of the elderly and disabled; 
whereas applications will thus form an 
important part of the projects of common 
interest; 
9. Whereas projects of common interest can, 
in many cases, already be implemented in the 
present telecommunications networks, in 
order to offer trans-European applications; 
whereas guidelines have to be drawn up, in 
order to identify these projects of common 
interest; 9. Whereas projects of common interest can, 
in many cases, already be implemented in the 
present telecommunications networks, 
especially the Euro-ISDN, in order to offer 
trans-European applications; whereas 
guidelines have to be drawn up, in order to 
identify these projects of common interest; 
9a. 9a. Whereas there must be coordination 
between the implementation of the proposals 
chosen and similar initiatives adopted at 
national or regional level in the Union; 
10. Whereas in the selection and 
implementation of such projects account 
should be taken of both infrastructures 
offered by telecommunications organizations 
as well as alternative infrastructures offered 
by other provi ders; 10. Whereas in the selection and 
implementation of such projects account 
should be taken of all infrastructures offered 
by incumbent and new providers; 
11. Whereas the Commission has 
transmitted to the Council a series of 
guidelines concerning the development of 
Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) 
as a trans-European network; whereas the 
Council has reached a common position on 
this proposal; 
12. Whereas the present networks, which 
include existing ISDN, are evolving towards 
advanced networks offering a variable data 
flow rate up to broadband capabilities, 
adaptable to different needs, in particular to 
the offer of multimedia services and 
applications; whereas the implementation of 
integrated broadband communication (IBC) 
networks will be the outcome of this 
evolution; whereas IBC will constitute the 
optimal platform on which applications of the 
Information Society can be built; Unchanged. 
Unchanged. 
13. Whereas the results of the specific 
research and technological development 
programme in the field of communication 
technologies (RACE) have prepared the 
ground and the technology base for the 
introduction of IBC networks in Europe; Unchanged. 
14. Whereas the results of the specific 
research and technological development 
programme on information technologies 
(Esprit) have prepared the ground and the 
technological base for the introduction of 
applications of information technologies; 
15. Whereas the results of the specific 
research and technological development 
programmes in the field of telematics 
systems of general interest (1991 to 1994) 
and telematics applications of common 
interest (1994 to 1998) prepare the ground 
for the introduction of interoperable 
applications of common interest across 
Europe; Unchanged. 
Unchanged. 
10 
16. Whereas effective coordination needs to 
be ensured between the different Community 
programmes, and in particular as appropriate, 
with programmes in favour of SMEs and 
with information content oriented 
programmes (such as INFO 2000. Media 2) 
and other information society activities: 
17. Whereas in its communication on 
"Preparatory actions in the field of Trans-
European Networks-Integrated Broadband 
Communications (TEN-IBC)", the 
Commission identified the need to carry out 
preparatory actions with the sector actors to 
draw up appropriate guidelines; whereas the 
results of these actions form the basis for the 
guidelines related to IBC networks in this 
Decision; 
18. Whereas the telecommunications sector is 
being progressively liberalized; whereas the 
development of trans-European applications, 
services and networks relies mainly on 
private initiative; whereas these trans-
European developments must respond to 
market needs; whereas, taking this into 
account, the interested sector actors will be 
requested to propose, through appropriate 
procedures giving them equal chances, 
specific projects of common interest in 
chosen domains; whereas these procedures 
have to be defined and a list of the chosen 
domains has to be adopted; whereas a 
Committee shall assist the Commission for 
the identification of the specific projects of 
common interest; 
18a. 16. Whereas effective coordination needs to 
be ensured between the implementation of 
the trans-European telecommunications 
networks, which must address real-world 
concerns, excluding experimental projects, 
and the different Community programmes, 
particularly the specific programmes of the 
fourth framework programme for research, 
technological development and 
demonstration, the programmes in favour of 
SMEs and with information content oriented 
programmes (such as INFO 2000, Media 2) 
and other information society activities; 
Unchanged. 
18. Whereas the telecommunications sector is 
being progressively liberalized; whereas the 
development of trans-European applications, 
services and networks relies mainly on 
private initiative; whereas these trans-
European developments must respond on a 
Community scale to market needs or to 
actual and sizeable needs of society which 
are not covered by mere market forces: 
whereas, taking this into account, the 
interested sector actors will be requested to 
propose, through appropriate procedures 
giving them equal chances, specific projects 
of common interest in chosen domains; 
whereas these procedures have to be defined 
and a list of the chosen domains has to be 
adopted; whereas a Committee shall assist 
the Commission for the identification of the 
specific projects of common interest; 
18a. Whereas on 20 December 1994 the 
European Parliament, the Council and the 
Commission reached a modus vivendi 
concerning the implementing measures for 
acts adopted in accordance with the 
procedure laid down in Article 189b of the 
EC Treaty: 
11 
19. Whereas the Community financial 
support to the implementation of projects of 
common interest identified within this 
Decision has to be considered in the 
framework of the Regulation laying down 
general principles for the granting of 
Community financial aid in the field of trans-
European networks; whereas following this 
Regulation, the concerned Member States 
shall give a certain degree of support to the 
projects of common interest; 
20. Whereas the Commission shall undertake 
actions to assure interoperability of the 
networks, and to coordinate the activities of 
the Member States aiming at the 
implementation of trans-European 
telecommunications networks; 
21. Whereas it is important, for the optimum 
development of the Information Society, to 
assure an efficient exchange of information 
between the Community and the third 
countries, in particular the States members of 
the European Economic Area; whereas it is 
thus necessary to promote networks, 
interconnection and interoperability at 
European scale; 
22. Whereas, however, activities undertaken 
in the context of these guidelines are subject 
to the full application of the competition 
rules set out in the Treaty and implementing 
legislation, 19. Whereas the Community financial 
support to the implementation of projects of 
common interest identified within this 
Decision has to be considered in the 
framework of the Regulation laying down 
general principles for the granting of 
Community financial aid in the field of trans-
European networks (Council Regulation (EC) 
No 2236/95 of 18 September 1995): whereas, 
nevertheless, use should also be made, on a 
synergetic basis and in line with their 
specific rules, of the Community financial 
instruments which can favour implementation 
of the lines of action in the sphere of trans-
European telecommunications networks, with 
a view to deriving maximum benefit from 
coordination of the different sources of 
funding: whereas following the 
abovementioned Regulation, the concerned 
Member States shall give a certain degree of 
support to the projects of common interest; 
Unchanged. 
Unchanged. 
Unchanged. 
12 
HAVE ADOPTED THIS DECISION: 
Article 1 
This Decision establishes guidelines covering 
objectives, priorities and broad lines of 
measures in the field of trans-European 
telecommunications networks. These 
guidelines set out the domains for projects of 
common interest, and a procedure for the 
identification of specific projects of common 
interest in these domains. This Decision establishes guidelines covering 
objectives, priorities and broad lines of 
measures in the field of trans-European 
networks in the area of telecommunications 
infrastructure. These guidelines set out the 
domains for projects of common interest, and 
a procedure for the identification of specific 
projects of common interest in these 
domains. 
Article 2 
The Community will support the 
interconnection of telecommunications 
networks, in particular integrated broadband 
communication (IBC) networks, the setting-
up and the deployment of interoperable 
services and applications and required 
infrastructure as well as the access to them, 
with the general objectives of: 
facilitating the transition towards the 
information society, in particular to 
promote the satisfaction of social needs 
and to improve the quality of life, The Community will support the 
interconnection of the networks in the area of 
telecommunications infrastructure, the 
establishment and the development of 
interoperable services and applications as 
well as the access to them, with the general 
objectives of: 
facilitating the transition towards the 
information society as well as providing 
experience on the effects of the 
deployment of new networks and 
applications on social activities and to 
promote the satisfaction of social needs 
and to improve the quality of life. 
improving competitiveness of European 
industry and strengthening the internal 
market, improving competitiveness of European 
industry and strengthening the internal 
market, 
strengthening economic and social 
cohesion, strengthening economic and social 
cohesion, 
accelerating the development of new 
growth area activities leading to job 
creation. accelerating the development of new 
growth area activities leading to job 
creation. 
Article 3 
The priorities for the realization of the 
objectives mentioned in Article 2 will be: Unchanged. 
13 
The confirmation of the feasibility, 
followed by the deployment of 
applications supporting the development 
of a Community Information Society, in 
particular applications of collective 
interest. 
The confirmation of the feasibility, 
followed by the deployment of 
applications contributing to economic and 
social cohesion, by improving access to 
information across the whole Union 
building on the Community's cultural 
diversity. 
Actions aiming at the stimulation of 
interregional initiatives, associating less 
favoured regions for the launch of 
Community telecom services and 
applications. 
The confirmation of the feasibility, 
followed by the deployment of 
applications and services contributing to 
the strengthening of the internal market 
and job creation, in particular those 
offering to SMEs means to improve their 
competitiveness in the European Union 
and at world level. 
The identification, the confirmation of the 
feasibility, followed by the deployment of 
trans-European generic servi ces providing 
a seamless access to all kinds of 
information, including in rural and 
peripheral areas, and interoperable with 
equivalent services at world level. 
The confirmation of the feasibility of new 
high-bandwidth fibre optic backbone 
networks, where required for such 
applications and services, and the 
promotion of such networks. 
The identification and removal of gaps 
and missing links for an effective 
interconnection and interoperability in all 
their components of telecommunications 
networks in the Community and at world 
level, with a particular emphasis on IBC 
networks. 
14 
Article 4 
The broad lines of measures to be Unchanged, 
implemented for reaching the objectives 
defined in Article 2 will cover: 
Identification of projects of common 
interest. 
Actions aiming at increasing the 
awareness of citizens, economic actors 
and administrations on the benefits they 
can draw from the new advanced trans-
European telecommunications services 
and applications. 
- Actions aiming at the stimulation of 
combined initiatives from the users and 
the providers for the launch of projects in 
the field of trans-European 
telecommunications networks, in 
particular IBC networks. 
Support, in the framework of the means 
defined by the Treaty, to the confirmation 
of the feasibility, followed by the 
deployment of applications, in particular 
applications of collective interest, and 
encouragement for the establishment of 
public-private partnerships. 
Stimulation of the offer and the use of 
services and applications for SMEs and 
professional users, which constitute a 
source of employment and growth. 
Promotion of the interconnectivity of 
networks, of the interoperability of 
broadband services and applications and 
of the infrastructure they require, in 
particular for multimedia, and of the 
interoperability between existing and 
broadband services and applications. 
15 
Article 5 
The development of trans-European 
telecommunications networks is made under 
this Decision by the implementation of 
projects of common interest. The domains 
within which projects of common interest 
shall be identified are listed in Annex 1. The development of trans-European networks 
in the area of telecommunications 
infrastructure is made under this Decision by 
the implementation of projects of common 
interest. The domains within which projects 
of common interest shall be identified are 
listed in Annex 1. 
Article 6 
The following Articles 7 to 9 describe the 
procedure for identifying specific projects of 
common interest in the domains indicated in 
Annex 1, using the identification criteria 
listed in Annex 2. The identified projects are 
eligible for Community support in 
compliance with the Council Regulation 
laying down general rules for the granting of 
Community financial aid in the field of trans-
European networks. Unchanged. 
Article 7 
1. A work programme shall be drawn up by 
the Commission, in conformity with the other 
trans-European network policies, in 
consultation with sector actors, for selecting 
the areas in which specific projects of 
common interest can be proposed, within the 
domains of projects of common interest set 
out in Annex 1. The work programme shall 
be updated as necessary. 
2. The work programme shall be the basis 
for the establishment of calls for proposals 
for projects of common interest by the 
Commission. 1. A draft work programme shall be 
prepared by the Commission, in conformity 
with the other trans-European network 
policies, in consultation with sector actors, 
for selecting the areas in which specific 
projects of common interest can be proposed, 
within the domains of projects of common 
interest set out in Annex 1. The work 
programme shall be updated as necessary. 
Unchanged. 
Article 8 
1. The Commission shall be responsible for 
the implementation of the procedure defined 
in Articles 7 to 9. Unchanged. 
2. For the cases specified in Article 9(1), 
the Commission shall be assisted by a 
committee composed of representatives of the 
Member States and chaired by the 
representative of the Commission. 
16 
The Commission representative shall submit 
to the committee a draft of the measures to 
be taken. The committee shall deliver its 
opinion on the draft within a time limit 
which the chairman may lay down according 
to the urgency of the matter. The opinion 
shall be delivered by the majority provided 
for in Article 148(2) of the Treaty in the case 
of decisions which the Council is required to 
adopt on a proposal from the Commission. 
The votes of the Member States' 
representatives within the committee shall be 
weighted in the manner set out in that 
Article. The Chairman shall not vote. 
The Commission shall adopt the measures 
envisaged where they are in accordance with 
the opinion of the Committee. 
If the measures envisaged are not in 
accordance with the Committee's opinion, or 
if no opinion is delivered, the Commission 
shall without delay submit to the Council a 
proposal relating to the measures to be taken. 
The Council shall act by qualified majority. 
If on expiry of a period of one month from 
referral of the matter to the Council, the 
latter has not acted, the proposed measure 
shall be adopted by the Commission. 
Article 9 
1. The procedure laid down in Article 8 shall Unchanged, 
apply to: 
the preparation and updating of the work 
programme referred to in Article 7, 
the identification of projects of common 
interest as a result of a call for proposals, 
- the definition of complementary support 
and coordination actions, 
- the measures to be taken to evaluate the 
implementation of the work programme. 
2. For the particular case of the domain of 2. For the particular case of the domain 
projects of common interest related to ISDN of projects of common interest related to 
17 
(referenced in Annex 1, point 3, paragraph Euro-ISDN (referenced in Annex 1, point 3, 
1), the applicable guidelines are those paragraph 1), the applicable guidelines are 
adopted by the Council. those adopted by the European Parliament 
and the Council. 
3. The Commission shall inform the Unchanged, 
committee, at each of its meetings, of the 
progress of the work programme 
implementation. 
Article 10 
Member States shall take all measures Unchanged. 
required at national, regional or local level to 
facilitate and accelerate the implementation 
of the projects of common interest, in the 
respect of Community rules. The 
authorization procedures which may be 
necessary shall be achieved in the shortest 
delays. 
Article 11 
This Decision shall not prejudice any Unchanged, 
financial commitment by a Member State or 
the Community. 
Article 12 
The participation of third countries, in Unchanged. 
particular those being parties to the 
Agreement on the European Economic Area, 
or having concluded an Association 
Agreement with the Community, can be 
authorized by the Council on a case-by-case 
basis, following the procedure laid down in 
Article 228 of the Treaty, in order to allow 
their contribution to the implementation of 
projects of common interest, and to promote 
the interconnection and the interoperability of 
the telecommunications networks. 
Article 13 
The Commission shall present every two Unchanged, 
years a report on the implementation of this 
Decision to the European Parliament, the 
Council, the Economic and Social Committee 
and the Committee of the Regions. 
The report shall contain an evaluation of the 
results achieved with Community support in 
different project fields, in relation to the 
overall objectives. 
Article 14 
This Decision shall enter into force on the Unchanged, 
seventh day following its publication in the 
Official Journal of the European 
Communities. 
Article 15 
This Decision is addressed to the Member Unchanged. 
States. 
Done at Brussels, 
For the European Parliament For the Council 
The President The President 
19 
ANNEX 1: DOMAINS FOR PROJECTS OF COMMON INTEREST 
The trans-European telecommunications 
networks will open the European market to 
the new applications and services which are 
the ground upon which the information 
society should develop. They are essential to 
realize the objectives of safeguarding and 
promoting Europe's future prosperity and 
creating new jobs, as well as enhancing 
economic and social cohesion. Unchanged. 
A three-layer model has generally been 
accepted as the most appropriate framework 
for describing trans-European 
telecommunications networks. These layers 
are: Unchanged. 
The applications layer, through which 
users interact with generic services and 
basic networks for meeting their 
professional, educational and social 
needs. Applications require to be 
interoperable between themselves to bring 
the maximum benefit to the users across 
the Community. 
The generic services layer, made of 
compatible generic services and their 
management. Through support of the 
applications common requirements, these 
services complement the applications 
whilst aiding their interoperability. The applications layer, through which 
users interact with generic services and 
basic networks for meeting their 
professional, educational and social needs. 
The generic services layer, made of 
compatible generic services and their 
management. Through support of the 
applications common requirements and by 
promoting common non-proprietary tools 
for development and implementation of 
new applications. these services 
complement the applications whilst aiding 
their interoperability. 
The basic networks layer, that provides Unchanged. 
the physical access, transport and 
switching elements of the networks, 
including their management and 
signalling. These elements are providing 
the trans-European network 
interconnectivity. 
These three layers form a consistent Unchanged. 
structure, where applications are supported by 
the two lower layers: generic services and 
basic networks. In particular, applications 
cannot be offered in the absence of one of 
the other two layers; however, each layer 
should be sufficiently open as to support any 
20 
element of the layer immediately above. In 
this context, projects of common interest 
should be identified on the basis of their 
operational capability to support the 
objectives set forth in this Decision. 
This Decision aims at identifying a list of 
projects of common interest, from which 
projects which will benefit from the 
Community financial support under 
Article 129c(l), third indent, of the EC 
Treaty, will be selected. This selection is 
made within the framework of the 
"Regulation laying down general 
principles for the granting of Community 
financial aid in the field of trans-European 
networks". Unchanged. 
The recourse to the other sources of Unchanged. 
Community financing remains open, within 
the financing rules governing each instrument 
for all the projects of common interest 
identified. Community financial support is 
granted in accordance with competition 
policy rules, notably those dealing with the 
financial support of R&D and State aids. 
The following sections define the domains in Unchanged. 
which projects of common interest will be 
identified. 
1. Applications 
The domains in which applications projects 
will be identified are the following: 1. Applications 
Applications must take account, where 
necessary, of local linguistic constraints and 
be interoperable between themselves to bring 
the maximum benefit to the users across the 
Community. They must address the widest 
possible populations of users and facilitate 
users' access to services of collective interest. 
A network for universities and research 
centres: An advanced trans-European 
network, carrying multimedia applications, 
should be established, linking universities 
and research centres across Europe, with 
open access to their libraries. The domains in which applications projects 
will be identified are the following: 
Unchanged. 
21 
Distance education and training. Advanced 
distance education and training services 
should be made accessible for all citizens, 
schools, colleges and businesses. Centres 
should be set up and made remotely 
accessible across Europe in order to provide 
courseware and training services for SMEs, 
large companies, education systems, and 
public administrations. New approaches to 
professional training for the information 
society should be developed and promoted. Distance education and training: Advanced 
distance education and training services 
should be made accessible for all citizens, 
schools, colleges and businesses. Centres 
should be set up and made remotely 
accessible across Europe in order to provide 
courseware and training services for SMEs, 
large companies, education systems, and 
public administrations. New approaches to 
general, academic, professional and linguistic 
training should be developed and promoted 
as part of the transition towards the 
information society. 
Health telematics: Trans-European networks 
and applications based on common standards 
should be deployed, which would link on a 
European scale all the partners of the health 
system, in particular general practitioners, 
hospitals and social centres. 
Transport telematics: Full advantage should 
be taken of trans-European 
telecommunications networks to improve 
transport network management and logistical 
support for transport industries and the 
development of value-added services. 
Telematic systems and services, wherever 
applicable, should also serve as a tool for 
implementing common transport policy; the 
necessary complementarity with and 
interoperability of the trans-European 
transport network will be ensured. Unchanged. 
Transport telematics: Full advantage should 
be taken of trans-European 
telecommunications networks to improve 
transport network management and logistical 
support for transport industries and the 
development of value-added services. 
Integrated multimodal transport, non-
motorized personal transport, public transport 
and environment-friendly modes shall be 
treated as a priority. Telematic systems and 
services, wherever applicable, should also 
serve as a tool for implementing Common 
Transport Policy; the necessary 
complementarity with and interoperability of 
the trans-European Transport Network will 
be ensured. 
Telematics for environment: 
Trans-European networks can bring an 
important contribution to the monitoring and 
the management of the environment, 
including emergency management. 
Teleworking: The development of 
teleworking (in homes and satellite offices) 
supported by advanced communication 
systems will help provide new forms of 
flexibility in terms of the place of work and 
the way work is organized. Through the 
decentralization of professional activities, 
teleworking can also help reduce the Unchanged. 
Teleworking. The development of 
teleworking in satellite offices and 
conceivably in homes supported by advanced 
communication systems will help provide 
new forms of flexibility in terms of the place 
of work and the way work is organized. 
Through the decentralization of professional 
activities, teleworking can also help reduce 
22 
environmental consequences of daily 
commuting to population centres. 
Telematic services for SMEs: Projects of 
common interest will support the use of 
trans-European telecommunications 
applications and services by European SMEs, 
with links to public authorities, trade 
associations, consumers, customers and 
suppliers and including information services 
and electronic commerce. The awareness of 
telematics-based solutions in general should 
be raised among SMEs. 
Trans-European Network for Public 
Administration: Interconnected networks 
between public administration networks in 
Europe should be established, aiming at 
facilitating interchange of data between 
administrations, in particular when 
implementing European Union regulations 
providing an effective and less expensive 
information interchange. This interconnected 
network should be further extended to link 
public administrations and European citizens. 
Electronic tendering: A trans-European 
Electronic Tendering Network should be set 
up, based on electronic procedures for public 
procurement between public administrations 
and suppliers in Europe. 
City information highways: Networks and 
services should be promoted interconnecting 
households, businesses, social organizations 
and administrations and providing access to 
on-line multimedia information, education, 
cultural, entertainment and tourism services 
on a local, regional, national and European 
basis. Links between city and regional 
networks should be promoted. the environmental consequences of daily 
commuting to population centres. 
Applications should be set up to allow for 
such developments while ensuring the 
preservation of workers' rights and preventing 
the risks of social isolation that could be 
involved with teleworking. Special attention 
should be paid to the evaluation of the social 
consequences of these applications. 
Unchanged. 
Unchanged. 
Unchanged. 
Unchanged. 
23 
Library services: Trans-European advanced 
networked library services involving all types 
of libraries (national, university/research, 
public, etc.) should be deployed to provide 
effective access to both the reservoir of 
organized knowledge and the cultural wealth 
held in libraries across Europe, in support of 
the economic, social, educational and cultural 
life of the EU Unchanged. 
Telematic services for the job market: 
Networked services, such as job information 
databases, should be developed to support the 
changing labour market in Europe and to 
help tackle unemployment. 
Cultural and linguistic heritage: Initiatives 
should be launched to foster the preservation 
of and access to the European cultural 
heritage, and to demonstrate the potential of 
the information infrastructure to support the 
development of local content in local 
languages. Telematic services for the job market: 
Networked services, such as job information 
databases, should be developed to support the 
changing labour market in the Community, 
publicize EU-wide job opportunities and 
encourage workforce mobility. 
Cultural and linguistic heritage: Initiatives 
should be launched to foster the preservation 
of and access to the European cultural 
heritage (including support for museum and 
cultural site multi-media networks) and 
creation, and to demonstrate the potential of 
the information infrastructure to stimulate 
and enhance creative endeavours and 
achievements as well as to encourage 1 ocal 
content and its dissemination. 
Citizens' access to services: Applications 
demonstrating citizens' access to services of 
collective interest should be set up. 
Examples might include the establishment of 
kiosks and access points in public areas, and 
the use of smart cards and electronic wallets. 
2. Generic services 
The domains in which projects of common 
interest for generic services networks will be 
identified are the following: Unchanged. 
24 
Implementation of operational trans-
European generic services: They should 
include in particular electronic mail, file 
transfer systems, on-line access to electronic 
data bases, and video services. As there is 
an urgent need for these trans-European 
generic services, they will use existing 
switched basic networks and user access. 
They should include service elements 
operating at European scale, European 
directories, exchange rate compensation, 
authentication, data protection and 
information security, trans-European "kiosk" 
and network navigational aids, etc. Implementation of operational trans-
European generic services: They should 
include in particular electronic mail, file 
transfer systems, on-line access to electronic 
data bases, and video services. As there is 
an urgent need for these trans-European 
generic services, they will use existing or 
emerging networks, fixed or mobile, and user 
access. They should include sen/ice elements 
operating at European scale, European 
directories, exchange rate compensation, 
authentication, data protection and 
information security, trans-European "kiosk" 
and network navigational aids, etc. 
Progressive extension of the generic 
services toward a multimedia environment: 
These services will offer end-users access to 
multimedia services, and might cover, but 
should not be limited to, multimedia mail, 
high speed file transfer and video services, 
including video-on-demand. Use of these 
multimedia services by business and 
residential users should be encouraged, as 
well as the integration of new service 
elements such as automatic translation, 
speech recognition, graphical user interfaces. Unchanged. 
Introduction of non-proprietary digital 
signature as a basis for open service 
provision and mobility of use: Generic 
services will rely on a large number of 
complementary and competing services 
providers. Open service provision and 
mobility of use will be of key importance 
and require electronic names (digital 
signatures) to be generally available and 
supported. Unchanged. 
3. Basic networks Unchanged. 
The domains in which projects of common 
interest for basic networks will be identified 
are the following: 
Euro-Integrated Services Digital Networks: 
For reasons of immediate commercial and 
technical transEuropean availability, ISDN is 
today the most appropriate and efficient 
digital switched basic network that can 
support new services and applications. Its Unchanged. 
25 
present development makes it an opportunity 
for Europe, and its market and geographical 
extension will be justified by the 
implementation of these new services and 
applications at pan-European scale. 
However, it should be borne in mind that 
ISDN is only a first step, and that it is going 
to evolve toward becoming merely a user 
access to broadband basic services. 
Commercial introduction of managed 
Asynchronous Transport Mode (ATM) and 
other broadband networks: This domain 
must be considered as being of utmost 
common European interest. Unchanged. 
Interoperation of existing and broadband 
communication networks: Existing 
networks (for fixed, mobile and satellite 
services) should be interconnected and 
interoperate between themselves and with 
ATM-based high speed networks, in order to 
offer the most appropriate economic solutions 
to the various situations which will occur 
during the setting up of the information 
society. This issue is at the core of the 
development of the Integrated Broadband 
Communications network, and is particularly 
relevant for SMEs, as well as for the 
professional and residential markets. Unchanged. 
4. Support and coordination actions 
In addition to its support to projects of 
common interest, the Community should 
initiate actions aiming at providing the 
appropriate environment. They will 
contribute to consensus development and 
concertation of national and regional 
activities for stimulation and promotion of 
new applications and services in conformity 
with the implementation of programmes in 
other areas, as well as the development of 
broadband basic networks. They will involve 
concertation with European standardization 
and strategic planning bodies, coordination 
with actions funded by the different 
Community financial instruments. This 
includes: Unchanged. 
26 
Development of target specifications, and 
transition towards these targets. These 
specifications will support sector actors to 
make sound economic investment decisions. 
This will be done in consultation with all 
sector actors, including telecommunication 
operators, cable operators, emerging 
operators, service providers, trade 
associations and consumer associations for: Unchanged. 
identifying the missing elements and the 
bottlenecks in the trans-European 
telecommunications networks, Unchanged. 
developing the target networks 
specifications for the three identified 
network layers. This includes terrestrial, 
satellite, mobile, as well as management 
and operation on a European scale. 
Sector actors will build on the RACE and 
Telematics Programme common 
functional specifications, the Eurescom 
work and other technical bodies set up by 
sector actors, and the results of 
broadband trials underway as well as the 
results of the Esprit and IT programmes, Unchanged. 
developing the network towards the target Unchanged, 
networks, and 
encouraging the development of open, Unchanged, 
interoperable and user friendly systems. 
Definition of means to access broadband 
networks, at the three specified layers. 
Establishment of common specifications, 
based on European and world standards. Definition of means to access IBC 
networks. 
Unchanged. 
Furthering the cooperation among sector 
actors, in particular the emerging and 
fragmented operators, such as cable 
television networks, as well as with users. Unchanged. 
Cooperation and coordination with 
Community, European and national 
programmes. Unchanged. 
27 
Annex 2 
Identification criteria 
The identification of projects of common 
interest among the projects presented by 
interested sector actors in response to a call 
for proposals as mentioned in Article 7 is 
made on the basis of their compliance with 
the objectives and priorities laid down in 
Articles 2 and 3 respectively. These projects 
shall be transnational with special emphasis 
on projects of an interregional nature. 
In addition, the economic and financial 
criteria spelt out in the "Regulation laying 
down the general rules for the granting of 
Community financial aid in the field of trans-
European networks" shall be taken into 
account. These criteria, which will be used 
in the framework of this Regulation to decide 
on the granting of a financial support to a 
specific project, are 
- the potential economic viability of the 
project, which should be assured, 
- the maturity of the project, 
- the stimulative effect of Community 
intervention on public and private 
financing, 
- the effectiveness of the financial package, 
the direct or indirect socio-economic 
effects, in particular on employment, The identification of projects of common 
interest among the projects presented by 
interested sector actors in response to a call 
for proposal as mentioned in Article 7 is 
made on the basis of their compliance with 
the objectives and priorities laid down in 
Articles 2 and 3 respectively. These projects 
must be transnational in the sense that they 
shall be conceived to satisfy needs existing in 
several Member States and to be 
implemented in several Member States. This 
does not prevent the initial phase of their 
deployment, designed to check the technical 
and commercial viability of the project, from 
being carried out in a single Member State, 
if it appears that the conditions prevailing in 
this Member State are representative of those 
existing in the other Member States where 
the project should ultimately be implemented. 
Unchanged. 
Unchanged. 
Unchanged. 
Unchanged. 
Unchanged. 
Unchanged. 
28 
the consequences for the environment, Unchanged. 
specially for transborder projects, Unchanged, 
coordination of the timing of the different 
parts of a project. 
29 

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ISBN 92-78-01644-6 
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