COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES 
COM(90) 154 final - SYN 259 
Brussels, 23 May 199.0 
Proposal for a 
COUNCIL DECISION 
concerning a specific programme of research and technological development 
in the field of Communication Technologies 
(1990-1994) 
(presented by the Commission) 
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CONTENTS 
PfrKe 
Proposal for a Council decision adopting a 
specific research and development programme in the 
field of communication technologies (1990-94) 
ANNEX I 
Scientific and Technical Objectives and Content 10 
ANNEX II 
Indicative Breakdown of Expenditures 17 
ANNEX III 
Rules for implementing the programme and activities 
for dissemination and exploitation of the results 18 
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Proposal for a 
COUNCIL DECISION 
adopting a specific research and development programme in the field of communication 
technologies (1990-94) 
THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES, 
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Economic Community, and in 
particular Article 130q (2) thereof, 
Having regard to the proposal from the Commission/1) 
In cooperation with the European Parliament/2) 
Having regard to the opinion of the Economic and Social Committee/8) 
Whereas by its Decision 90/221 /Euratom, EEC<4), the Council adopted a third framework 
programme for Community activities in the field of research and technological 
development (1990-94), specifying inter alia the activities to be pursued in the field of 
communication technologies; whereas this Decision should be taken in the light of the 
grounds set out in the preamble to that Decision; 
(1) OJ No c 
(2) OJ No c 
(S) OJ No C 
(4) OJ No L 117, 8.5.1990, p.28 
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Whereas Article 130k of the Treaty stipulates that the framework programme is to be 
implemented through specific programmes developed within each activity; 
Whereas an estimate should be made of the amount of Community financial resources 
needed to carry out this specific programme; whereas the definitive amounts will be 
fixed by the budgetary authority in line with the financial perspectives covering the 
period 1988 - 1992 included in the Interinstitutional Agreement of 29 June 1988(5) and 
with any future financial perspectives covering the period 1993 - 1994; 
Whereas, pursuant to Article 4 and Annex I of Decision 90/221/Euratom, EEC, the 
amount deemed necessary for the whole framework programme includes an amount of 57 
million ecus for the centralized dissemination and exploitation of results, to be divided 
up in proportion to the amount envisaged for each activity; whereas in view of the 
importance of this specific programme within the information technology and 
communications activities the estimate of the financial resources needed by this 
programme is to be reduced by 4.89 million ecus, which amount is to be allocated to the 
centralized activities, in order to comply with the second sentence of Article 130p (2) of 
the Treaty; 
Whereas this programme must be implemented by the Commission; whereas to help 
accomplish this, the Member States are bound, pursuant to Article 5 of the Treaty, to 
facilitate the achievement of its tasks where necessary, notably within a committee; 
Whereas this programme must be implemented essentially by the selection of research 
and development projects to enable them to benefit from Community participation; 
whereas the Commission should encourage the submission of such projects by the usual 
means of publishing calls for proposals in the Official Journal; whereas a special 
procedure should also be devised so as to maintain a degree of flexibility enabling the 
Commission, in the face of the continuous evolution and gradua Commis: 
technological progress, also to take into consideration spontaneous proposals consistent 
with the objectives of the programme; 
(5) OJ No L 185, 15.7.1988, p.SS. 
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Whereas the projects to be carried out under the programme must be selected with 
special attention to the principle of economic and social cohesion in the Community, the 
transnational nature of the projects and the support to be given to small and medium-
sized enterprises; 
Whereas it is only in the light of experience gathered in the course of this programme 
that the Commission will be able to propose and the Council to adopt supplementary 
programmes by having recourse to the means provided for in Articles 1301, 130m or 
130o of the Treaty, if they contribute to the achievement of the programme's objectives, 
in accordance with the option made available by Article 2(2) of Decision 
90/221/Euratom, EEC; 
Whereas, in accordance with Article 130g of the Treaty, the Community's activities 
aimed at strengthening the scientific and technological basis of European industry and 
encouraging it to become more competitive include promoting cooperation on research 
and technological development with third countries and international organizations; 
whereas such cooperation may prove particularly beneficial for the development of this 
programme; 
Whereas priorities include integrated broadband communication system functions, 
intelligence in networks, mobile and personal communication, image and data 
communications, integrated services technologies, advanced communications experiments, 
information security technologies and test infrastructures; whereas the work includes 
R&D on systems engineering, advanced communications technology and validation of 
standards and common functional specifications; 
Whereas the Scientific and Technical Research Committee (CREST) has been consulted, 
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HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION: 
Article 1 
A specific research and technological development programme for the European 
Economic Community in the field of communication technologies, as defined in Annex 
I, is hereby adopted for a period of five years as from 1 January 1990. 
Article 2 
1. The Community funds estimated as necessary for the execution of the programme 
under this Decision amount to 489 million ecus. Of this amount 4.89 million ecus is 
drawn for the centralized dissemination and exploitation of results. The amount 
thus reduced to 484.11 million ecus includes staff costs which may not exceed 4%. 
An indicative breakdown of expenditure is set out in Annex II. 
2. Should the Council take a decision in implementation of Article 1(4) of Decision 
90/221/Euratom, EEC, this Decision shall be adapted to take account of the above-
mentioned decision. 
3. The budgetary authority shall decide on the appropriations available for each 
financial year. 
Article 3 
Rules for the implementation of the programme are set out in Annex III. 
Article 4 
The rate of the Community financial contribution shall be laid down in accordance with 
Annex IV to Decision 90/221/Euratom, EEC. 
Article 5 
During 1992 the Commission shall review the programme and address a report on 
the results of the review to the Council and the European Parliament, together with 
proposals for any necessary changes. 
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2. At the end of the programme the Commission shall assess the results obtained. It 
shall address a report thereon to the Council and the European Parliament. 
3. The reports shall be drawn up having regard to the objectives set out in Annex I to 
this Decision and in accordance with Article 2(4) of Decision 
90/221/Euratom, EEC. 
Article 0 
1. The Commission shall be responsible for the execution of the programme. It shall 
be assisted by a committee, hereinafter referred to as "the Committee", composed of 
representatives of the Member States and chaired by a representative of the 
Commission. 
2. The contracts concluded by the Commission shall govern the rights and obligations 
of each party, including the procedures for disseminating, protecting and exploiting 
the research results, in accordance with the arrangements adopted pursuant to the 
second paragraph of Article 130k of the Treaty. 
3. A work programme for each year shall be drawn up and updated where necessary. 
It shall set out the detailed objectives and types of projects to be undertaken, and 
the financial arrangements to be made for them. The Commission shall make calls 
for proposals for projects on the basis of the annual work programmes. 
Article 7 
1. In the cases envisaged in Article 8(1), 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 set according to 
the urgency of the matter. The opinion shall be delivered by qualified majority as 
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. 
2. The Commission shall adopt the measures envisaged where they are in accordance 
with the Committee's opinion. 
3. If the measures envisaged are not in accordance with the Committee's opinion, or if 
no opinion is delivered, the Commission shall forthwith submit to the Council a 
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proposal relating to the measures to be taken. The Council shall act by a qualified 
majority. 
4. If the Council has not acted within one month of submission of the proposal, the 
proposed measures shall be adopted by the Commission. 
Article 3 
1. The procedure laid down in Article 7 shall apply to: 
- the preparation and updating of the work programmes referred to in Article 6(3); 
- evaluation of the projects referred to in point 2 of Annex III, as well as the 
estimated amount of the Community's financial contribution when these projects 
are submitted through the ordinary procedure referred to in point 4 of Annex III 
and the abovementioned amount is more than 5 million ecus; 
- evaluation of all projects submitted through the exceptional procedure referred to 
in point 4 of Annex III, as well as the estimated amount of the Community's 
financial contribution; 
- measures for evaluating the programme. 
2. The Commission may consult the Committee on any matter falling within the scope 
of the programme. 
3. The Commission shall inform the Committee with regard to; 
- the progress of the programme; 
- planned calls for proposals, referred to in Article 6 (3); 
- projects, referred to in point 2 of Annex III, submitted through the ordinary 
procedure, for which the Community contribution is less than 5 million ecus, and 
the results of their evaluation; 
- accompanying measures, referred to in point 2 of Annex III;; 
- concerted actions, referred to in point 2 of Annex III. 
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Article 9 
In implementing this programme, supplementary programmes within the meaning of 
Article 1301, participation within the meaning of Article 130m and joint undertakings or 
any other structures within the meaning of Article 130o of the Treaty may also be 
decided on as the need arises. 
Article 10 
Where cooperation with third countries and international organisations aiming at 
achieving the objectives of this programme requires legal undertakings between the 
Community and the third parties concerned, the Commission shall be authorized to 
negotiate, in accordance with Article 130n of the Treaty, international agreements laying 
down the terms of such cooperation. 
Decisions on the conclusion of such agreements shall be adopted in accordance with the 
procedure referred to in Article 130q (2) of the Treaty. 
Article 11 
This Decision is addressed to the Member States. 
Done at Brussels, 
For the Council, 
The President 
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Annex I 
Scientific and Technical Objectives and Content 
This specific programme forms an integral part of the approach embodied in the third 
Framework Programme in terms of the scientific and technical objectives and the 
underlying aims which it pursues. 
Paragraph I.l.B of Annex II of the Framework Programme forms an integral part of this 
specific programme. 
The following presents an analytical description of the content of the programme based 
on and taking account of the above elements. 
The content focuses on eight priority areas including the provision of verification 
techniques and facilities. It will concentrate on areas of work which require the 
collaboration of two or more telecommunications sector organisations in the common 
interest of the Community. The priority areas are: 
AREA 1 IBC (Integrated Broadband Communications) R&D 
AREA 2 Intelligence in networks/flexible communications resource management 
AREA 3 Mobile and personal communications 
AREA 4 Image and data communications 
AREA 5 Integrated services technologies 
AREA 6 Information security technologies 
AREA 7 Advanced communications experiments 
AREA 8 Test infrastructures and interworking (horizontal R&D area supporting 
the other priority areas). 
The specific programme will cover these priority areas, distinguishing three main types 
of work, namely: development of implementation strategies for IBC systems, services and 
applications; advanced communication technologies; and validation of standards and 
common functional specifications for IBC. It will involve the use of experimental 
equipment and services to address generic applications. 
AREA 1: IBC (Integrated Broadband Communications) R&D 
Integrated Broadband Communications technology forms the backbone for advanced 
services and largely determines their costs. Key technologies, systems, services and 
applications are being addressed under this IBC R&D heading using a systems approach. 
This area focuses on the following subjects: 
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IBC Systems Design, Architecture and Operation 
This work, based on a set of "open" standards allowing universal access to integrated 
services, will enable Integrated Broadband Communications to accommodate emerging 
new services. In order for the various organisations concerned to define their 
requirements clearly, reference models and common functional specifications will be 
systematically developed. Special emphasis will be given to examining the combination 
and interaction of different technical options, evaluating the demand for basic and 
enhanced services and addressing the impact of regulations. 
IBC Implementation and Transition Strategies 
These will cover the system engineering required for the implementation of IBC services, 
including the transition from current services. The results will improve techniques for 
the efficient interoperability of public and private networks and new services. This 
work is essential for user acceptance and the cost-effective use of communications 
resources. 
Research under this heading will include further development of common functional 
specifications and reference configurations, with close attention to recent developments. 
Particular attention will be given to the increased role of optical communications (taking 
into account the growing interest in "fibre-to-the-home"), the emergence of 
synchronous/asynchronous transport switching techniques, the optimised integration of 
radio and mobile communication sub-systems (especially in rural areas) and the 
development of intelligence in the networks. Further work will also be carried out on a 
layered approach to communications management and on new value-added services 
adapted to evolving needs. Specific tasks to be addressed will cover image 
communication and its integration in services; and the interworking between private 
networks, local and metropolitan area networks, to enhance connectivity and service 
adaptability. 
Common Operational Environment 
This work will support standardisation efforts, particularly those of the European 
Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI). It will include the dissemination of 
results and the acquisition of other relevant information. Liaison will be assured with 
other bodies responsible for advanced communication projects outside the programme. 
Common analytical tools will be developed and used for the techno-economic assessment 
of implementation and transition strategies. 
Techniques for Basic IBC System Functions 
This work will cover switching systems, integrated optical systems and networks, IBC 
customer systems and IBC software infrastructures. 
Switching Systems: The technology base of asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) will be 
broadened and interworking techniques between ATM networks and pre-existing 
networks will be developed. The work will enable ATM switching technology to support 
connectionless services and the interconnection of local area networks (LANs) and 
metropolitan area networks (MANs). 
Integrated Optical Systems and Networks: The work will provide the basis for low-cost 
broadband access networks and contribute to the introduction and evolution of integrated 
optical networks and photonic switching. 
IBC Customer Systems: The work in this domain will provide the technologies needed 
for IBC terminals and Customer Premises Networks (CPNs). It will involve investigation 
of multi-service interfacing and research on the impact of ATM on terminals. In the 
CPN area, emphasis will be put on the impact of data processing requirements on 
business CPNs, communication protocols and on short- to medium-term low-cost 
domestic CPNs. 
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IBC Software Infrastructure: The research will support the cost-effective development 
of highly reliable telecommunications software and its full life-cycle support. It will 
involve research into software quality assurance and the application of advanced 
information processing to telecommunication software development. It will also cover 
investigations of knowledge based systems for life-cycle support. 
Integration of IBC Demonstrators 
The integration and interoperability of "technology demonstrators" will be presented, 
with user involvement, to business and residential subscribers in both urban and rural 
areas. The research will validate the application feasibility of new technology, support 
standardisation and provide the basis for the evaluation of the economic performance of 
systems and services. It will cover the integration of access, transport and switching 
functions as well as control, management and signalling functions. Demonstrators of IBC 
terminals, as well as terminals developed elsewhere, will be connected in order to 
illustrate the large variety of services and applications that can be efficiently supported. 
Verification Tools 
Work in this area will involve the development of the necessary tools to verify functional 
specifications and interoperability, and to ensure that verification is possible in the IBC 
systems and design concepts. The tools will consist of formalized procedures and 
facilities for physical verification. The work will increase confidence in the emerging 
IBC demonstrator options and reduce the risks of investment in IBC development and 
implementation for industry, operators, service providers and users. 
AREA 2: Intelligence in Networks/Flexible Communications Resource Management 
This research will be related to the development and demonstration of techniques needed 
for the introduction of "programmable networks". It will include the development of 
techniques for enhancing intelligence and flexibility, both in the provision of network 
services and in network management and operations; in the latter case, the work will 
cover aspects of Operations Support Systems (OSS) and Telecommunications Management 
Networks (TMN). 
AREA 3: Mobile and Personal Communications 
Research in this area will contribute to the development of third generation integrated 
mobile communication systems, aiming at universal mobile communications, mobile 
broadband services and universal personal communications covering audio, data and 
image. For cost-efficient implementation third generation systems will require a 
common air-interface exploiting the microwave frequency ranges of 2 GHz; mobile 
broadband services will require exploitation of the 60 GHz range. The work will focus 
on the development of advanced functionality for the enhanced and integrated use of 
IBC and radio networks (e.g. interconnection standards and mobility management) and 
the miniaturisation of terminal technology, with particular emphasis on low power 
consumption. Close attention will be given to the needs of different kinds of users. 
AREA 4: Image and Data Communications 
The research will involve the development of the technologies needed for the successful 
introduction and exploitation of advanced, low-cost and flexible image and data 
communication services, for both domestic and business needs. It will build on the 
foundations established by RACE, addressing in particular the impact of new transfer 
modes (such as ATM) on high-resolution visual services and fast packet data 
transmission at Megabit rates. It will include coding and presentation techniques for 
still, moving and three-dimensional images, notably in HDTV. It will cover the 
interworking between an IBC system and other interactive and distributive networks with 
which it will co-exist. 
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AREA 5: Integrated Services Technologies 
The demand for different services will develop according to user preferences and 
requirements. The communications system must therefore be able to evolve with demand 
and respond dynamically to the specific service features users want. The associated 
techniques are addressed under this area, which focuses on the subjects indicated below. 
IBC Service Infrastructure Engineering/Modular Standardisation 
This work will contribute to the harmonisation of architectures and specifications for the 
flexible integration of telematic services under user control. Due account will be taken 
of the trans-national scale of communication needs and the heterogeneous technical 
environment. 
Service engineering will focus on modular standardisation in the areas of architectures, 
service-user components, service-provider components and service-creator components. 
It will also cover service harmonisation and usage modelling. It will address the 
functional architecture of an integrated-services environment and the specification of the 
components and primitives for end-user applications. Research into usability will focus 
on the human-service interface and include the design of generic metaphors for 
integrated services access. The work on service-provider components will cover 
specifications for service management, while that on service-creator components will 
develop specifications of common tools for service creation. The harmonisation efforts 
will include a concerted approach to specifications for usability, quality of service, 
service evolution, security requirements and for mobile services. 
Integrated Service Technologies 
This research will build on system engineering activities, and the results will contribute 
to the specification and harmonisation work. It will address techniques for architecture 
realisation, user components technologies, metaphors and user interface technologies, and 
service management systems. 
Service Technology Verification 
The research will involve the development of prototype facilities for flexible integration 
of services responding to the requirements of operators, service providers and users. 
AREA 6: Information Security 
The accuracy, security and overall "trustworthiness" of electronically-communicated 
information are evidently of great importance to private individuals and public 
administrations as to commerce and industry. Work in this area will ensure that 
considerations of quality-of-service, security and reliability are included in the 
development and implementation strategies for advanced communications. It will 
provide validated specifications, guidelines and technology for practical and effective 
information security at a pan-European level. This area focuses on the following 
subjects: 
Service Quality, Security and Reliability Engineering 
The research will cover risk management, coherent security solutions and the creation of 
a favourable environment for secure information management. 
Risk management: A common strategy will be developed to allow the rational 
management of risks. It will provide the scientific basis for legal measures to reduce 
risks. 
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Coherent security solutions: Coordinated strategies will be developed to guarantee the 
interworking of separate security mechanisms/procedures. They will allow shared 
scenarios for transition and investment to be developed, especially in public security 
infrastructures. The work will provide the basis for collaboration between organisations 
on the security of information exchanged between them. 
Creation of a favourable environment: Options for the diffusion of information security 
techniques and related measures will be identified. The actual diffusion of solutions 
amongst end users is outside the scope of this programme. 
Information Security Technologies 
Technologies for security mechanisms and technologies for the integration of secure 
systems will be investigated, especially for distributed systems. They will be addressed 
under the following major headings: 
Systems technologies for information security: addressing usability, auditability, 
applications software, hardware and operating systems. 
Network technologies for information security: covering telecommunications links and 
switches and those features of single-node systems which enable them to participate in 
networks. 
Tools for the administration of information security: involving the development of 
software tools incorporating formal methods for the administration of information 
security. The research will address the analysis of risks, the formulation and 
implementation of security policies, and the on-going administration and quality-
assurance of security systems. 
Information Security Verification 
The security of any system can only be as good as its weakest link. The systems 
required are complex and need to be checked. Strategies, specifications and technologies 
developed in the specific programme will therefore be verified by building a series of 
small-scale demonstrators. The work will fall under the following major headings : 
Integration of information security technologies: addressing the use of a mix of several 
technologies for achieving optimal information security (ranging from electronics to 
suppress unwanted radiation of signals to protocol designs). These cover many functions 
and will form only part of the total systems in which they are used. 
Verification of common tools for information security: covering three classes of tools; 
risk analysis tools, assurance criteria tools and tools for voluntary regulation of security. 
Establishment of common infrastructure for information security: covering four areas: 
certification services for security products; accreditation services for secure systems; 
gateways for secure international traffic; and third-party security services. In all areas, 
the work will involve pilot implementations of secure systems with live traffic. These 
will be adapted to the needs of different branches of the economy, including public 
administrations, and directly supported by those who have developed the technologies 
elsewhere, within the corresponding R&D projects, or outside. 
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AREA!: Advanced Communication Experiments 
This work is designed to prepare the ground for, and minimize the risks of investments 
in, advanced communications. It will identify generic service functions which are 
reusable and will permit the matching of different user needs while maintaining 
universal access and interoperability. The research will make it easier for user 
organisations to take up new technologies and exploit the opportunities they present. By 
contributing to the creation of demand for advanced communications, work in this area 
is also in the interest of operators and equipment manufacturers. The work focuses on 
the following subjects: 
IBC Generic Applications Strategies 
The research will focus on the identification of "trigger" applications of advanced 
communications and of the generic applications which will be the basis for a spectrum of 
future universal services. It will cover the development of a Usage Reference Model, 
development of consensus-based operational specifications, development of consensus-
based common functional specifications for services, consolidation of network and 
technology aspects and the identification of criteria and guidelines for the successful 
introduction and use of advanced communications. The work on the Usage Reference 
Model will build on the pre-existing concepts, but with a new focus on entry strategies, 
generic applications and the relation between applications (the user/demand viewpoint) 
and services (the provider/supplier viewpoint). Consensus-based operational 
specifications, taking the user's viewpoint, and common functional specifications for 
services will be developed where they are "market enabling". The identification of 
criteria and guidelines for the successful introduction and use of advanced 
communications will build on application experiments, relating to techno-economic and 
organisational issues. Some generic applications have been tentatively identified: 
Examples are distributed case handling, inter-personal communications and remote 
delivery of expertise. 
Techniques for Advanced Communications Experiments 
The technology and techniques necessary for experimentation with advanced applications 
will be addressed under this heading. Three themes have been identified: development 
and identification of technologies to support the development of the service 
infrastructures; development of resource packages; and development of techniques to 
support the elicitation of user requirements and response. The work will include the 
identification of server modules required for applications such as 
translation/interpretation, integrity, multimedia conferences, multimedia databases and 
distribution. The development of resource packages will cover service and product 
elements, network capabilities (transport, switching and management) and terminal 
facilities, implemented in hardware or software. Large-scale field experiments will be 
complemented by simulation techniques. Presentation techniques, including animation 
and graphics, will be used to complement detailed technical reporting. 
Application Experiments 
The technical and operational feasibility of applications of advanced communications will 
be established in a process of structured and coordinated experiments. They will 
identify, describe, model and define generic applications of advanced communications 
that cross business sectors and functions. Telecommunications operators and users will 
be able to draw on the results of these experiments to put together marketing and 
exploitation plans. Pre-competitive prototype resource packages (including service and 
product elements) will be developed for generic applications, allowing sector-specific 
application experiments to be undertaken. 
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There will be particular emphasis on defining generic applications, adapted where 
necessary to specific user circumstances. The work will confirm the identity of these 
generic applications and clarify their characteristics in field experimentation. The 
resulting experience will form a basis for the relevant telecommunications sector 
organisations in planning the standardisation, implementation and operation of Integrated 
Broadband Communications. 
T4REA 8: Test Infrastructure & Interworking 
The successful introduction of IBC services in Europe needs to be preceded by 
experimentation and trials. A test infrastructure is therefore necessary, connecting those 
involved. It is needed to validate standards and functional specifications. The provision 
and operation of the test infrastructure is expected to be based on the Memorandum of 
Understanding with operators on EBIT (European Broadband Interconnection Trial) and 
its future evolution. The work included in this programme addresses the experimental 
use of EBIT, not its development or operation. 
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Indicative Breakdown of Expenditures 
in %, for the period 1990-1994. Annex II 
AREA 1 IBC (Integrated Broadband Communication) R&D 
AREA 2 Intelligence in Networks/Flexible Communications 
Resource Management 20 - 24 
6-8 
AREA 3 Mobile and Personal Communications 8-10 
AREA 4 Image and Data Communications 
AREA 5 Integrated Services Technologies 
AREA 6 Information Security Technologies 11 - 16 
6-8 
6-8 
AREA 7 Advanced Communications Experiments 20 - 25 
AREA 8 Test Infrastructures and Interworking 
(horizontal R&D area supporting the other priority areas) 1 - 3 
The breakdown between different areas does not exclude the possibility that projects 
could cover several areas. 
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Annex HI 
Rules for Implementing the Programme 
and Activities for Dissemination and ExpMUMpn fff the Results 
1. The Commission shall implement the programme on the basis of the scientific and 
technical content described in Annex I. 
2. The rules for implementing the programme, referred to in Article 3, comprise 
research and technological development projects, accompanying measures and 
concerted actions. 
The projects shall be the subject of shared-cost research and technological 
development contracts. 
The accompanying measures consist of applying the means to ensure proper 
technical execution, management and evaluation of the programme, as well as 
adequate dissemination and accessibility of the results, and coordination, training 
and consciousness-raising of the participants in the programme. 
The concerted actions are those defined in the Financial Regulation. 
3. The participants in the projects must be natural or legal persons established in the 
Community*6), such as universities, research organizations and industrial firms, 
including small and medium-sized enterprises, or associations thereof, in particular 
European Economic Interest Groupings (EEIGs). 
Natural or legal persons established in countries which have concluded agreements 
with the Community foreseeing scientific and technical research, may, based on the 
criterion of mutual advantage, take part in the projects undertaken in the context of 
this programme. The contracting parties under such arrangements shall not benefit 
from Community funding. They shall contribute to the general administrative costs. 
4. The choice of projects shall be carried out according to the following order of 
priority, the first method being the rule, the second the exception: 
(6) For the purposes of this programme, the European Centre for Nuclear Research (CERN), whose headquarters 
are in Geneva and most of whose installations are on Community territory, may be a party to the contracts. 
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The participants in the projects shall be selected on the basis of the ordinary 
procedure of calls for proposals referred to in Article 6 (3) and published in the 
Official Journal of the European Communities. 
The Commission may also accept proposals according to an exceptional procedure 
and under the conditions mentioned below, when they make a particularly 
promising and significant contribution as regards the originality of the theme 
proposed, the novelty of the scientific and technical approach and the methodology 
of execution, also taking into account the particular nature of the proposers. 
A favourable technical evaluation of such proposals shall not by itself be a 
sufficient justification for accepting a project; this exceptional procedure may only 
apply after verification that the nature of the project, as defined above, does not 
justify the use of the normal procedure for calls for proposals. 
The exceptional procedure must be completed before the ordinary procedure in such 
a way that the available amount for the Community's financial participation in 
projects retained by the ordinary procedure can be determined precisely. The 
closing date for the exceptional procedure shall be published each year in the 
Official Journal. 
The amount of the financial participation of the Community for all the projects 
retained by the exceptional procedure will be decided each year, in relation to the 
projects selected according to particularly strict criteria of excellence. In any case, 
this amount may not exceed 15%; it may be revised each year in the light of 
experience. 
The Commission shall draw up a vade mecum setting out all the rules applicable to 
this exceptional procedure in order to guarantee full transparency. 
5. The projects must involve at least two mutually independent partners established in 
different Member States. 
6. The Commission may encourage the participants to form a European Economic 
Interest Grouping (EEIG) or make other arrangements for carrying out projects, 
such as those on a large scale, permitting decentralized management adapted to the 
specific requirements of the project. 
7. The knowledge acquired during the course of the projects shall be disseminated on 
the one hand within the specific programme and on the other hand by means of a 
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centralized activity, pursuant to the decision referred to in the third paragraph of 
Article 4 in Decision 90/221/Euratom, EEC. 
FINANCIAL STATEMENT 
1. BUDGET HEADING AND TITLE 
Subsection 6, item B 6112 
Specific programme of Community RTD activities in the field of Communications 
Technologies (1990-1994) 
2. LEGAL BASE 
Article 130 Q(2) of the Treaty 
3. OBJECTIVES AND DESCRIPTION 
See Annex I of the proposal 
4. FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS 
Amounts in Mio ECU: 
Programme implementation 484.11 
Centralised action for dissemination and valorisation 4.89 
TOTAL 489.00 
The indicative internal breakdown of the 484.11 Mio ECU for the programme 
implementation is given in Annex II of the proposal. 
Indicative multiannual schedules 
in Mio ECU 199o 1991 I992 i993 1994* TOTAL 
Commitments - 109.00 87.00 180.00 108.11 484.11 
Payments - 32.00 80.00 125.00 247.11 484.11 
* for the payment appropriations: 1994 and beyond 
The definitive yearly amounts will be determined by the budgetary authority in 
accordance with the financial perspectives for the period 1990-1992 (annexed to the 
Interinstitutional Agreement of 29 June 1988) and with subsequent financial 
perspectives which may be adopted for 1993 and 1994. 
5. STAFF AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENDITURE 
In addition to the principal means of action, which are contracts (annex HI), the 
above amounts include programme-related staff and administrative expenditure 
estimated at no more than 41 Mio ECU. 
The expenditure on staff will not exceed 4% of the amount deemed necessary for 
the programme implementation. This implies a maximum of 99 statutory posts (A, B 
and/or C) at any given time during the life of the programme. The infrastructure 
costs related to statutory staff will be borne by Part A of the budget. 
6. IMPLICATIONS FOR REVENUE 
The contributions by third country contractors towards the cost of administration of 
the programme will be reused pursuant to articles 27.2 and 96 of the Financial 
Regulations^). 
7. TYPES OF CONTROL 
Control will be exercised by: 
the Programme Management Committee (scientific control) 
the services of the DG responsible for the execution of the programme, possibly 
assisted by independent experts 
the Commission's Financial Controller 
In accordance with Article 2 of the Financial Regulation^1), the use of 
appropriations will be subject to analyses of cost-effectiveness and the realization of 
quantified objectives will be monitored. 
External audits may be carried out by the Court of Auditors in accordance with the 
Treaty. 
(1) Financial Regulation of 21 December 1977, as last amended by Regulation 610/90 of 13 March 1990. 
Competitiveness and Employment Impact Statement 
Subject : Proposal for a Council decision concerning the Specific Programme of Community 
activities in the field of communication technologies (1990-1994). 
I. ftçason for Introducing measures 
The proposal is being submitted in order to implement actions on communication 
technologies within the thiid Framework .Programme of Community research and 
development (1990-1994) 
II. futures of the businesses In Question 
The proposal concerns the télécommunications sector and the actions will involve 
telecommunication network operators, equipment manufacturers and telematic service 
providers. This sector includes a large proportion of SMEs, which already participate in the 
RACE Programme. 
The businesses in question are spread throughout the Member States, including in regions 
which are eligible for regional aid under the ERDF. 
HT. Obligations directly Imposed on businesses 
The proposal conforms to the principles of existing administrative procedures for 
participation in R&D programme and will encourage industrial actors towards further 
transnational co-operation. 
No obligations are directly imposed on businesses ; those that wish to participate will be 
expected to bear the costs, quite minimal, relating to the preparation of proposals. 
IV. Indirect obligations likelv to be Imposed oq businesses bv local authorities 
None are envisaged. 
V. SPfcIM, measures jo respect of ,SM£s 
All signatories to contracts are treated on an equal footing, so that even those with t 
relatively small contribution to make have the right to full access to and exploitation of 
results. SMEs participate in all areas of tbe RACE Programme, in both large pre-planned 
projects and smaller more speculative projects. 
In tbe new Specific Programme, increased emphasis will be given to service engineering and 
applications of advanced communications : areas which are particularly Important to SMEs 
because of their large presence and dynamism in these areas. Aside from the R&D activity 
per se, accompanying measures, some aimed specifically at SMEs, constitute an integral part 
of the current proposal. 
VI. Likely effects on competitiveness of businesses and on employment 
The actions will not only contribute to sustaining tbe international competitiveness of the 
European Telecommunications industry, but will also stimulate the development of 
competitive telematic service providers and will have a positive effect on all major business 
sectors which depend on advanced telecommunications. 
Over 60% of new employment in tbe EC now depends on access to effective 
.communications. The effects on competitiveness and employment of programmes of 
precompeiitive R&D such as this Specific Programme will continue to be very positive. The 
development and use of advanced communications systems gives improved access to 
markets, a better understanding of international market needs, improved stock control, 
management, corporate image and acceptability to international customers. 
VII. CoflSuMatipg of Jn^ustTV 
The proposal is the result of a broad consultation of representatives from all industrial 
sectors concerned in tbe Community. The proposal will be submitted to the Economic and 
Social Committee for opinion. 
ISSN 0254-1475 
COM (90) 154 final 
DOCUMENTS 
EN 16 
Catalogue number : CB-CO-90-237-EN-C 
ISBN 92-77-60691-6 
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