COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES 
Brussels, 27.11.1996 
COM(96) 607 final 
COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMISSION 
TO THE COUNCIL, THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT, 
THE ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMITTEE 
AND THE COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS 
'Europe at the Forefront of the Global 
Information Society: 7 
;û, RollmgAetiongkfaZ^M+ti 

CONTENTS: 
I. Introduction 
II. The Priorities of the Rolling Action Plan 
III. The Goal of the Rolling Action Plan 
IV. Conclusions 
Annex Europe's Rolling Action Plan for the Information Society 
INTRODUCTION 
The information society is not a challenge for the future but one for the present. Decision 
makers are now fully aware that Europe's future in the global economy will be shaped by the 
speed and success with which it exploits the opportunities arising from the new information and 
communication technologies (ICT). 
Momentum towards the information society is already building up in Europe at a breath-taking 
pace. But major tasks are still ahead of us. The key challenges are to ensure that Europe 
remains at the forefront of the new global and networked society and that European citizens 
equally enjoy its benefits. The EU must therefore focus on an effective implementation of all 
aspects of the information society. 
Considerable progress has already been achieved since the adoption in July 1994 of an Action 
Plan defining a comprehensive strategy and a set of measures aimed at taking the European 
Union into the information society: 
S The liberalisation of the telecommunications sector has been successfully launched and 
will be completed by the 1st of January 1998, hence triggering the development of new 
services and promoting their widespread uptake. The stakes in tenus of job creation 
and competitiveness are particularly high since the ICT market had an astonishing 
growth rate of 8% in 1995 and is bound to grow even faster in the future. 
•f Considerable effort has been devoted to ensuring that the social and societal dimension 
of the information society is fully taken into consideration and to supporting regional 
information society initiatives in order to enhance cohesion. 
•f The recognition of the vital role of education and training in the race towards the 
increased participation and employabrlity of European citizens has lead to the 
formulation of an ambitious Europe-wide learning action plan. 
S Support is being given to the development of the emergence of a strong European 
multimedia content industry which is expected to create 1 million new jobs over the 
next 10 years. 
•S The specific ICT programmes of the 4th RTD Framework Programme are being 
successfully implemented and the preparation of the 5th Framework Programme has 
been launched. 
S The Commission has been instrumental in the successful outcome of major 
international events aiming to develop global rules underpinning the swift development 
of the global information society. 
With these actions the Commission has established the building blocks of the information 
society in Europe and has significantly contributed to raising awareness of both the public and 
decision makers. The necessary climate has therefore been created for unleashing the creative 
"lùiropc's way to the information society: An Action Plan" COM (9-4) 3<47 of the V)\\\ July I *•)lM 
potential and entrepreneurial spirit of Europeans and has put Europe at the forefront of the 
drive towards the infomiation society. 
The present Communication comes as a follow up to the July 1996 Communication entitled 
"Information Society: From Corfu to Dublin - The new emerging priorities. " which 
announced an updated and revised Action Plan in order to launch a second phase of the EU 
information society strategy. This action plan addresses Community actions which arc 
complementary to those undertaken by the Member States. The Rolling Action Plan will be 
complemented in the future by an overview of the transposition of the European regulator}' 
framework into the national legislation of the Member States particularly with respect to the 1st 
of January 1998 deadline. This forms an important part of the employment pact2. 
II. THE PRIORITIES OF THE ROLLING ACTION PLAN 
Driven by the digital revolution and global competition, the private sector has started investing 
in and exploring new market opportunities. The success of the Internet, the booming mobile 
communications market and the emerging multimedia content industry are only a few examples 
of the huge market potential offered by the infomiation society. These developments 
demonstrate that whenever technology offers attractive and cost-efficient solutions to meet 
consumer needs, and whenever the market is operating in a competitive environment, 
investment and economic output grow with breath-taking speed and new job opportunities 
become available. 
Another key factor for the success of the information society is its social acceptability. The 
infomiation society is bringing fundamental changes in the way we live and work in a period of 
high unemployment. This situation brings uncertainties and poses big challenges for workers, 
citizens, enterprises and public institutions. Therefore, to ensure social acceptance of the 
information society in Europe, it is essential to meet these challenges with public policies that 
provide opportunities to develop the employability of workers, support change in the 
organisation of enterprises, reinforce social cohesion and cultural diversity and enhance 
people's ability to participate in the infomiation society. 
Experience has shown that the success of Europe in the infomiation society will not only 
depend on how telecommunications and new services are regulated or deregulated, but also on 
a wider range of factors amongst which innovation plays a central role. For example, by setting 
GSM as a world standard, the EU has ensured that most GSM-relatcd investments and jobs arc 
to be found in Europe. Internet on the other hand is a success story for the USA which enjoy 
the main benefits in terms of investment, job and market shares (e.g. amongst the world's 100 
most visited Web sites of the Internet, not a single one is European). 
The development of the information society requires changes which still have to overcome a 
certain degree of organisational inertia and psychological resistance as well as financial 
constraints. This is extremely hard to achieve in a period characterised by high unemployment, 
pressure on social benefits and budgetary restrictions. Whilst the implementation of the 
information society is mostly taking place at national, regional or local level, the value-added of 
Community level actions is to set up a common framework, to co-ordinate various activities 
Action Plan lor employment m Kuropc: A confidence pact ( CSP (%) 1 ) 
and to act as a catalyst. Therefore, the Rolling Action Plan aims to harness and give more 
impetus to the implementation of the various measures taken at Member State level. 
The main policy objectives of the Rolling Action Plan have already been outlined in the 
Communication "The implications of the information society for European Union policies -
Preparing the next steps"1. The Rolling Action Plan also draws upon valuable input from the 
European Parliament4, the Council , the Information Society Forum5, the High Level Expert 
Group and the Industry Advisory Group as well as from the assessment of technological and 
international developments. It is therefore the result of a wide reflection process on the 
infomiation society which has led to the identification of four new priority areas: 
1) Improving the business environment through the efficient and coherent 
implementation of the liberalised telecommunications environment and the thorough 
application of the internal market principles (i.e. the free circulation of goods, the free 
provision of services, the free circulation of capital and the freedom of establishment) 
in the infomiation society context. Actions are also outlined to promote the introduction 
of new technologies into daily business activities, in particular with respect to SMEs 
and for the promotion of satellite personal communication services (S-PCS) in Europe. 
Ensuring that the necessary conditions are met for the introduction of electronic 
commerce (e.g. copyright, data protection, digital signatures, etc.)7 is also a major 
priority. 
2) Investing in the future primarily depends upon the recognition that the infomiation 
society starts in the classroom. The Florence Summit gave impetus to the educational 
dimension of the EU information society strategy by asking the Commission to adopt 
an initiative, "Learning in the information society"", which now needs to be 
implemented. However, adapting educational structures and the learning process is 
mainly a responsibility of the Member States. At the same time emphasis must also be 
placed on life-long learning to enable European citizens, whether in their capacity as 
consumers or participants in the job market, to adapt to the emerging infomiation 
society. Broadly speaking, the information society is also a generation phenomenon. 
Only by introducing specific actions focusing on the younger generation can the best 
conditions be prepared for access and acceptance of infomiation society by the 
population at large. 
Technologies in the information society are developing fast and if one fails to enter the 
technology race on time, it may result in an exclusion from the corresponding market. 
It should therefore be clear for European businesses that keeping abreast of the fast 
pace of global technology development often requires substantial investment at a 
relatively early stage of market development (e.g. the development of digital TV, 
satellite communications and interactive multimedia services). This would allow 
European players to be better represented in key emerging markets. In this context, the 
3 COM (96) 395 of the 24th of July 1996 
•1 1 ierman Report of the 19th of September 1996 
5 Resolution on "New political priorities regarding the information society. Mh of October 1996 
6 Networks for people and their Communities - June 1996 
7 The Commission envisages to launch a new strategic initiative to identify and remove the barriers 
to the development and take-up of electronic commerce 
S COM (96) -171 oflhe 2nd of October 1996 
Action Plan refers in particular to the Commission's formal proposal for the Fifth 
Framework Programme to be presented in March 1997 where detailed proposals on 
overall research priorities for the EU will be set out. A new specific programme will be 
devoted to the promoting the development of a user-friendly information society 
3) The far-reaching implications of the information society for the citizen have triggered 
an avalanche of discussions, comments and suggestions on how to put people at the 
centre. Following the consultation process on the Green Paper "Living and working in 
the information society: People first", the Commission will establish a number of 
actions to address the key issues identified in the Green Paper and related documents. 
This will be completed by further actions arising from the debate on the Green Paper 
on "Work organisation'. At the same time, the process of using the advantages of the 
information society in the context of regional policy to promote European cohesion 
must be addressed. Another important clement in this context is the protection of 
fundamental rights and freedoms, such as the right to privacy, in the infomiation 
society. As regards the crucial issue of job creation, a significant number of new 
employment opportunities will result from developments in the services and 
content sectors, in particular through new business activities such as electronic 
commerce and multimedia content creation. 
4) While the initial Action Plan did not fully reflect the importance of global co-operation, 
it is now clear that setting global rules is an essential clement of the infomiation 
society. Global rules concern market access, intellectual property rights, privacy and 
data protection, harmful and illegal on-line content, tax issues, infomiation security, 
frequencies, interoperability and standards. The successful completion of the 
multilateral negotiations on basic telecommunications services in the context of the 
WTO (World Trade Organisation) are of primary importance for the 
establishment of such ground rules. In addition, a review of European laws and 
policy positions must be launched with a view to reaching international agreements. In 
this context, the Commission's negotiating powers need to be enhanced in order to 
strengthen the EU's negotiating position at international level. Meanwhile, appropriate 
follow-up actions are required in accordance with the conclusions of the conferences 
held recently with the Mediterranean countries. Central and Eastern European 
countries and the developing world. 
III. THE GOAL OF THE ROLLING ACTION PLAN 
The goal of the Rolling Action Plan is to present a list of all important actions, in particular 
legal measures, required to further implement the information society in Europe. It presents an 
updated and comprehensive overview of the main Community measures related to the 
information society, and thus fulfils four major functions: 
1) It provides information about forthcoming Community initiatives in a consistent and 
transparent way, thereby serving as a navigation tool for the Member States and 
other European institutions, in particular the Parliament. An equivalent level of 
claritv and transparency would be most welcomed at Member State level. 
2) It provides detailed information about the development of the regulatory framework to 
the business sector, in particular private investors, thereby serving as a guidance tool 
for investment decisions. 
3) It provides open infomiation to all interested parties, in particular the public, about the 
direction of EU policy, thereby allowing for timely reactions and suggestions as well 
as a constructive dialogue between the Commission and all relevant segments of 
society in a user-friendly and democratic way. 
4) In addition, as the infomiation society impacts virtually on all policy areas, the Action 
Plan also provides a useful internal management tool for the Commission. 
IV. CONCLUSIONS 
The Commission invites the Council and the European Parliament, as well as the Social and 
Economic Committee and the Committee of the Regions, to debate the issues involved and give 
political backing to the development of this Rolling Action Plan for information society. 
A nnex 
EUROPE'S ROLLING ACTION PLAN 
FOR INFORMATION SOCIETY1 
TABU- OF CONTENTS 
1) The structure or the Rolling Action Finn 
2) The mtormation society World Wide Web Server 
3) The actions 
B. PENDING AND ON-GOING ACTIONS 
1. Improving the Business Environment 
2. Investing in the Future 
3. People at the Centre 
4. Meeting the Global Challenge 
C. ACCOMPLISHED ACTIONS 
1. Improving the Business Environment 
2. Investing in the Future 
3. People at the Centre 
4. Meeting the Global Challenge 17 
17 
22 
22 
25 
ill ni \( i\ i ini'ii \')' 
1. THE STRUCTURE OF THE ROLLING ACTION PLAN 
The initial 1994 Action Plan was organised along four lines <"••: action: 
• the regulatorv framework 
• networks, basic services, applications and content 
• social, societal, and cultural aspects 
• promotional activities 
The Rolling Action Plan has a two-layer structure. The first layer describes the current status ot 
the different actions: 
• Part A presents forthcoming actions 
• Part B presents pending and on-going actions (i.e. .cnons that have been initiated but 
have not vet been finalised) 
• Part C presents the actions that have been completed since the adoption of the original 
Action Plan in Iulv 1994. 
This structure has been chosen in order to allow for a rolling Action Plan. It must be noted that 
the initial Action Plan was constantlv adjusted and expanded - but only tor internal puiposes and 
not as a political instrument. The new structure will allow tor a regular and comprehensive 
official update of the Action Plan. 
The second laver is built upon the policv priorities idcnt:::ed in the Communication on "The 
implications of the ir.:or??ution society for TAJ poliaes." i.e.: 
• improving the business environment 
• investing in the future 
• people at the centre 
• meeting the global challenge. 
The same structure is used tor all three parts m order to ensure the coherence ot the document 
as well as to facilitate reading. 
2. THE INFORMATION SOCIETY WORLD WIDE WEB SERVER 
In order to give interested parties a complete and updated picture of Commission information 
society-related activides, a dedicated "World Wide Web" server has been set-up by ISPO: 
(http://www.ispo.cec.be) which has already been providing information to over a hundred 
thousand users per month (see graphical representation below). 
ITirthermore, the "Rolling Action Plan" Web page will be linked through hvpertext links to other 
relevant Web pages, tor instance those related to the G7 "Global Inventory" project and the 
European Commission's "European Survey of Information Socictv (HSIS)" which hold 
informadon about major public and private information socictv initiauves. 
The server will also provide informadon on sources ot financing, forthcoming calls for 
proposals, as well as, announce relevant conferences and studies. 
ISPO Web server access 
Monthly hits February 95 • October 96 
242696 
Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aig Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr ' May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct 
IM'( ) |.. i!n- liiiiinn.ition Soiii'lv I'loi'V! ( Mli. 
Europe's Rolling Action Plan for Information Society 
Specific Measures Decision Making 
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!!1SS!!!IH!1!! Communication on a guide 
to the regulatory framework 
of the information society 
(1998 packet) 
Communication on the EU 
and space: fostering 
applications, markets and 
industrial competitiveness 
Communication and 
directive on secure 
transactions including 
digital signatures in 
electronic commerce 
Communication on a 
European standardisation 
initiative for electronic 
commerce 
Communication on an 
internal market framework 
for new on-line commercial 
communications based on 
home country control and 
mutual recognition 
Communication on 
information society and 
industrial aspects Commission 
adoption 
Commission 
adoption 
Commission 
adoption 
Commission 
adoption 
Commission 
adoption 
Commission 
adoption 97 
11-97 
1 Q 97 
97 
1 Q97 
3-97 After final adoption of the 1998 package of 
measures, this Communication will be 
published as a guide to illustrate for users the 
impact of the 1998 package and to show the 
inter-relationship in a non-technical way 
between different measures regarding the 
information socictv. 
The Commission proposes to implement new 
actions to contribute to the development of 
applications of space-related activities in the EU 
in the fields of telecommunications, navigation 
and earth observation. 
Initiatives in order to set the necessary frame for 
commercial transactions via the networks. 
The Communication will analyse Europe's 
position in the standardisation for electronic 
commerce, identify technical barriers of 
electronic commerce services and submit 
proposals on the dissemination of standards, in 
particular for SMEs. Finally, the role of public 
authorities in the standardisation process for 
electronic commerce will be elaborated. 
This Communication will be a follow-up to the 
consultations held in the framework of the 
Green Paper on commercial communications 
(COM(96) 192) which was adopted on K-5-96. 
The Communication will contain an analysis of 
the transformation trends in the European 
industry due to the impact of ICT, both with 
respect to the production processes and in 
management and organisation. It identifies the 
potential benefit of ICT for industry as a 
strategy for improving competitiveness. 
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'lifflHIIPipi Communication on the 
application of the 
competition rules to access 
agreements in the 
telecommunications sector. 
Communication on the 
assessment criteria for 
national schemes for the 
costing and financing of 
universal service and 
guidelines for the Member 
States on the operation of 
such schemes. 
Communication on the 
evaluation of the TEDIS 
programme: Assessment 
and future steps 
Decision on the extension 
of the Action Plan for the 
introduction of advanced TV 
services in Europe 
Decision on an action plan 
for the deployment of GNSS 
(Global navigation satellite 
systems in Europe) and 
bilateral agreements with 
certain third countries 
Directive on the access to 
media ownership Commission 
adoption 
Commission 
adoption 
Commission 
adoption 
Commission 
adoption 
Commission 
adoption 
Council and EP 
adoption 
Commission 
adoption 
COM (96) 
Council and EP 
adoption 3-97 
4Q96 
97 
1 Q9-
1 Q9~ 
97 Document setting out competition law 
principles to increase legal and economic 
certainty. In particular: (i) summarising past 
decisions, (ii) clarifying relations between 
competition law and article 100A-based 
harmonisation directives, (iii) explaining 
application of competition rules to converging 
sectors, especially access issues and gateways. 
In order to assist Member States in preparing 
national reforms in advance of full liberalisation 
of télécoms in 1998. this Communication 
identifies the principal elements that the 
Commission will assess in looking at national 
universal service schemes which must be 
notified to the Commission by the end of 1996. 
It also provides detailed guidelines, building on 
the existing principles within Community law. 
which are designed to develop best practice in 
national approaches to the costing and 
financing of universal service. 
The Communication will provide an evaluation 
of the TEDIS programme which deals with the 
promotion of the use of EDI in the private 
sector and focuses on SMEs. Further 
consideration will in particular be given to 
promoting the communication links between the 
private and the public sectors and on focusing 
on SME needs. 
The Commission is developing a proposal for a 
follow-up to the first wide-screen Action Plan in 
order to complete the introduction of the new 
format into broadcasting. 
The GNSS rolling action plan provides a 
framework for the deployment of GNSS in 
Europe. It will present the remaining technical 
and institutional activities to be carried out to 
implement the European contribution to the 
global system. The Commission will also 
propose to begin formal negotiations with the 
other major players, in particular the USA, 
Russia and Japan. This communication follows 
a Communication on the same subject 
[COM(94)248| and a resolution of the EP in 
May 94 on space transport policy. 
4th Q % : Divergent rules on media ownership may cause 
9" ; lo the freedom of establishment of media 
companies within the community. 
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m 
m Directives on the 
harmonisation of certain 
authors' rights and related 
rights 
Directive on the legal 
protection of encrypted 
services Commission 
adoption 
Council and EP 
adoption 
Commission 
adoption 
Council and EP 
adoption 2Q97 
97 
1Q97 
97 As announced in the Commission's draft 
Communication on the matter, this instrument 
proposes to further harmonise a number of 
copyright and related rights aspects, where 
necessary for the proper functioning of the 
Internal Market in the I.S. and the needs to 
bring about a favourable environment which 
protects and stimulates creativity and 
innovation across Member States. 
The Directive will establish a common 
framework for the legal protection of encrypted 
services in the EU. 
Consultation Documents 
Green Paper on the 
implications of the 
regulatory framework for 
telecommunications, 
audiovisual and publishing Commission 
adoption 97 This Green Paper will examine the regulatory 
implications of the increasing convergence of 
the telecommunications, audiovisual and 
publishing industries and will make appropriate 
proposals. 
ilfiliyi: 
::::::::::::::::::::! 
yii::::::::::j 
illŒSiiiîHiiii! Communication on the 
development of the use of 
multimedia as pedagogical 
means in the Community 
Communication on 
vocational training in the 
information society 
Communication on 
GI2000: Towards a 
European Policy Framework 
for Geographic Information 
(GI). 
Decision on the 5th 
Framework Programme 
followed by proposals for 
the specific programmes Commission 
adoption 
Commission 
adoption 
Commission 
adoption 
Commission 
adoption 
Council and EP 
adoption 97 
1997 
97 
1 Q97 
98 This Communication follows the Council 
Resolution relating to educational multimedia 
software in the fields of education and training 
of the 6-5-96 
This Communication will constitute the 
complement to the Communication on 
"Learning in the Information society" (COM 
(96) 471). 
The objective of the communication is to raise 
awareness and start a discussion at the political 
level to be followed by the development of an 
action plan. GI is important because of its value 
for planning, land management, marketing 
studies, environment, renewable energy 
resources, emergency services, health care, 
political analysis etc. 
On 10-8-96 the Commission adopted a series of 
preliminary guidelines for the 5th RTD 
framework programme. Without prejudice to 
the final structure and content of the 5th FP, the 
identified priorities for future research are: 
unlocking the resources of the living world and 
the ecosystem; creating a user friendly 
information society; promoting competitive and 
sustainable growth. 
Page 6 
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Europe's Rolling Action Plan for Information Society 
Spicifu' MIMMU-<-> Dicisjon M.ikiug 
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ilBiiiil Communication and 
directive on an Action Plan 
for the deployment of road 
transport telematics in 
Europe 
iiiGÉJiiJiijJijii Directive on harmonisation 
measures for VTMIS 
;] (Vessel traffic management 
and information services) Commission 
adoption 
Commission 
adoption 1 Q97 
4Q 
98 The Communication is based on the Council 
Resolution of 28-9-95 on the deployment of 
road transport telematics. 
The Action Plan is being elaborated within the 
High Level Group on road transport telematics 
created in December 1995. It will propose an 
overall European strategy to carry out this 
deployment, with legislation, technical 
harmonisation and co-ordination of 
implementation and financing of RTT projects 
(notably through the TEN-T budget). 
It will also address the basic requirements for 
the setting up of traffic information and 
navigation systems in Europe. 
The Directive will present a set of measures 
directed at the harmonisation of VTS 
procedures, the level of qualification of 
operators, the level of services, the 
interoperability and interconnection of VTMIS. 
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iiimnmiiiii»iij Follow up of Green Paper 
"People First". Commission 
adoption 1 Q97 An action plan will be developed to address the 
development of new jobs and working patterns, 
co-operation between different levels of public 
administrations, review of regulation, awareness 
and confidence raising through networking, 
harnessing the Structural Funds, identification 
of themes and issues for further analysis. 
iiXSiH! Communication on 
Cohesion and the 
information socictv Commission 
adoption 12-96 The Communication intends to clarify the 
relation between the information society and 
cohesion by indicating a number of actions in 
the field of demand stimulation, regulatory 
environment and support of supply. It will 
particularly concentrate on the potential role of 
Structural Funds in this domain. It addresses 
regions, member stales, telecom operators and 
service providers. 
A Conference on "Regions and the information 
society" (30/3 1-1-97) will discuss the ways to 
better address the implications of the 
information society in policy actions under the 
structural funds. 
I'.igc 7 
Print date: I I/269<>. \.\} I'M. 
annnexX 1 doc 
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Europe's Rolling Action Plan for Information Society 
Specific Mi'iiMircs Decision Makin< 
PlIIVCSS Calender Explanation*-Implications 
ii^Siii 
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consumer dimension of the 
information society 
Communication on an 
action plan to combat illegal 
and harmful content on the 
Internet and similar 
networks 
Decision on the 
development of Guidelines 
for Trans-European data 
communication networks 
(TENS) for administrations 
and identification of projects 
of common interest for IDA 
Follow up to the Green 
Paper on the protection of 
minors and of human 
dignity and new audiovisual 
and information services Commission 
adoption 
Commission 
adoption 
Commission 
adoption 
Commission 
adoption 97 
6-97 
97 
97 The Communication will examine the 
respective benefits and problems facing 
consumers as a result of information society 
developments and will identify areas of action 
both at a political level and in practical terms 
(such as the use of new communications 
technologies for consumer information and 
education). 
The Communication on illegal and harmful 
content, that was adopted by the Commission on 
the 16-10-96, indicates a number of policy 
options to combat this type of content on the 
Internet. The action plan will, after discussion 
of these options with the Council and EP. 
indicate the range of measures neccssaw to 
implement these policy options, the means to do 
this and the actors responsible. It will elaborate 
the measures necessary to ensure a coherent set 
of actions at the EU level and the launching of 
these actions into the global context and will 
especially address the question of liability for 
access and service providers. 
This follows Council decision 95/468/EC of the 
6-11-95 adopting the IDA programme, which 
invites the Commission to present the Council 
and the EP new proposals following the mid­
term programme evaluation. This proposal 
concerns the development of guidelines for 
TENS for administrations and the identification 
of projects of common interest for IDA in 
Europe. 
The development of new audiovisual and 
information services will require new types of 
programme content as well as new ways o[ 
producing and financing it. It will also offer 
new opportunities in terms of cultural and 
linguistic diversity. The analysis of these issues 
with a view to identifying ways of encouraging 
the development of new services will 
complement other initiatives related to the 
protection of the public interest in audiovisual 
and information services. 
••'•'•I Consultation Documents 
iil[2|7|J!Jii!i!i! Green Paper on access to 
public sector information Commission 
adoption 1 O 97 The Green Paper is published in the context of 
the INTO 2000 programme. It will invite a 
public debate on two main issues: citizens 
access to public information and exploitation of 
public sector information by private information 
content providers in developing value added 
services. 
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l'mccss Kxplanations - Implications 
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iiilpil Green Paper on Work 
Organisation 
Green Paper on public 
procurement "Pistes de 
reflection pour l'avenir" Commission 
adoption 
Commission 
adoption 97 
97 The implications for labour markets and 
working lives of new forms of work 
organisation, including telcwork, enabled bv the 
adoption of ICTs, and the roles of public 
administrations and social partners in raising 
knowledge and awareness are being addressed. 
The Green Paper is intended to provide a 
framework for a wide-ranging debate on a 
number of issues central to the Community's 
present and future public procurement policy. 
One of the issues addressed is electronic 
procurement and the key role of electronic 
tendering in further enhancing transparency 
and access to public procurement. 
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Developing Countries 
International Conference 
for a "Common 
understanding on means and 
conditions governing the use 
of global information 
networks" 
International Conference 
at G7 level on 
standardisation aspects of 
information society 
International Conference 
on the 3rd annual 
information society Forum 
with CEECs 
International Conference 
with Latin American 
countries on IS 
Round Table on 
information society with 
Russia To be adopted by the 
Commission 
International 
Conference 
International 
Conference 
International 
Conference 
International 
Conference 
International 
Conference 1997 
1 Q97 
9-97 
10-97 
4Q97 
97 The Communication is a follow-up to the ISAD 
Conference. It will focus on the redefinition and 
the re-oricntation of previous policies to give a 
higher priority in development policies to 
telecommunications infrastructures and 
applications. 
This is an initiative proposed by the German 
Government at the IS Council of Oct-96. It is 
intended to address the issue of the distribution 
of material adversely effecting public order and 
morality over electronic networks. 
The Conference is market focused and aims to 
facilitate the timely and coherent development 
of the Global Information Society (GIS) by 
identifying and promoting the resolution of 
outstanding standardisation issues. 
Support will be given to the organisation of a 
Round Table with Russia on information 
society. The round table should target 
govcrment representatives, associations, 
industrv and research bodies. 
I'nnl date: 1 I /2o/VY,. }: H I'M. 
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IS 
Europe's Rolling Action Plan for Information Society 
Spi-cilic Measures Decision Makins 
J'|1»Cl\S.S C'aUmltr J A|ilanaii(ins - Implications 
B. PENDING AND ON-GOING ACTIONS 
B.l. IMPROVING THE BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT 
BMtlfJttBffli Decision for guidelines 
HHH covering trans-European 
SS^HB Telecom Networks (TEN-
MBMBI Telecom) 
BjjÏÏQHfl Decision on the allocation of 
ggflBflj wide-screen broadcast 
mBHHil funding for the introduction 
HBHHH of advance TV services in 
|§l§§flfl§§§B Europe 
ijjjjjjiil Decision on an action at the 
HJjjffllBflB EU level in Lire field of 
BjHBH satellite personal 
BBHHB communication services in 
HHH the EU 
KoJHI Directive on 
flflf§flflfll||H interconnection in the 
1 illfllill context of ONP and 
1 BJHHI universal service Commission adoption 
Common Position 
Conciliation 
procedure launched 
EP and Council 
adoption 
Commission adoption 
COM (96) 346 
Call for proposal: 
1/96 
Call for proposal 
Commission adoption 
COM (95) 529 
Political agreement 
on Common Position 
Council and EP 
adoption 
Commission 
adoption 
COM(96) 121 
Common Position 
Council and EP 
adoption May-95 
21-3-96 
9-96 
4th Q 96 
7-961-97 
8-11-95 
28-9-96 
3-97 
19-7-95 
18-6-96 
1-97 These guidelines cover the objectives, priorities 
and broad lines of measures envisaged for the 
development of trans-European 
telecommunications networks, with special 
focus on generic services and applications. 
Priorities will be on projects of societal interest 
which have reached a high degree of maturity 
and are economically viable. 
Financial support mechanism (Council decision 
of 22-7-93 93/424/EEC) intended to overcome a 
market failure: broadcasters would not transmit 
in the wide-screen format without wide-screen 
TV sets being available on the market and 
manufacturers would not mass market wide-
screen TVs without broadcasting. It targets 
broadcasters' and programme producers' extra 
cost in order to overcome this problem. Its 
indicative targets arc a critical mass of services 
supported with an increasing volume of wide 
screen programmes. (The 16:9 screen format is 
the only globally-agreed parameter for the 
future of TV, including HDTV). 
The proposed decision provides for a co­
ordinated approach to the awarding of 
frequencies and the licensing at a national level 
of the new satellite based personal 
communications systems in Europe. 
Within the package of reform measures for 
1998. there is general support for a common 
framework for interconnection between the 
traditional operators and new entrants. This 
framework will assist the achievement of 
universal service. It will create a stable 
regulatory framework for interconnection which 
is essential in the future competitive 
environment. 
I'ayc 10 
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Europe's Rolling Action Plan for Information Society 
Specific Measures I.\pl mations . Implications 
^^^H Directive on the application 
^^^H of open network provision 
^^^H (ONP) to voice telephony 
^^^H and on universal service for 
^^^H telecommunications in a 
^^^H competitive environment. 
R^^H Directive updating the open 
^^^fl network provision (ONP) 
^^|fl and leased lines directives 
1I9HB Directive on licensing of 
^^^9 telecommunication services 
fJtâ^H Directive on a regulatory 
n§§9 transparency mechanism Commission 
adoption 
COM(96)419 
Council and EP 
adoption 
Commission 
adoption 
COM (96) 419 
Common Position 
Council and EP 
adoption 
Commission 
adoption 
Political agreement 
on Common Position 
Council and EP 
adoption 
Commission 
adoption 
COM(96) 392 
Council and EP 
adoption 11-9-96 
12-96 
14-11-96 
12-9-96 . 
3-97 
14/11/95 
28-9-96 
3-97 
24-7-96 
97 The Directive revises and replaces the existing 
Directive 95/62/EC on the application of (ONP) 
to voice telephony. 
It describes the scope of the universal service for 
telecommunications which must be available to 
all users in the EU and requires Member States 
to ensure that this service is affordable, taking 
into account national situations. 
The Directive also sets out harmonised 
conditions for the provision of fixed public 
telephone networks and publicly available 
telephone services in the EU. 
As required by Council Resolution 93/C213/01 
the Commission tabled measures by 1 Jan. 1996 
to implement the regulatory framework for a 
competitive environment in 1998. The 
adaptation of ONP to this new environment is a 
central clement. 
This directive replaces the two proposals that 
the Commission submitted in 1'992 and 1993 on 
the mutual recognition of licences and the other 
authorisations for telecom services and satellite 
communications services that the Council 
examined under the German Presidency in 
1994. 
The new proposal, based on Article 100a. lays 
down common rules to apply as regards the 
procedure and conditions for the grant of 
general authorisations and individual licences 
for telecom services. 
The document proposes an internal market 
mechanism which would ensure that any new 
national proposals for regulation of new services 
would be transparent and coherent with existing 
internal market principles. 
1';.!>• I 1 
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Europe's Rolling Action Plan for Information Society 
Spécifie Measure.' Calender - Implications 
B.2. INVESTING IN THE FUTURE 
Decision on a specific RTD 
programme in Information 
Technologies (ESPRIT) Council adoption 
O.J.: 
Further Calls 11-94 
96-98 Focused calls for proposals were held on 15-
Dec-94, 15-Mar, 15-Jun. 15-Septand 15-Dcc-
95. At least two calls in 1996. The programme 
contributes to providing technologies, standards 
and best practices for information society. A 
special initiative to promote electronic 
commerce has been launched. 
Decision on a specific RTD 
programme on Advanced 
Communications, 
Technologies and Services 
(ACTS) Council adoption 
O.J.: 
Further Calls 7-94 
96-98 The ACTS programme has been implemented 
through two major calls for proposals in 1994 
and 1995 and a complementary call in 1996. It 
now involves about 1000 organisations in 158 
co-operative technology development projects 
and over 300 trials on National Host 
infrastructures. All major European industrial 
interests arc involved, and organisations from 
over 38 different countries participate. 
Decision on a specific RTD 
programme on Telematics 
Applications Council adoption 
O.J.: 
Further Calls 11-94 
96-98 The first call for proposals closed on 15-3-95 
and a second call on 15-6-95 and a third call 
closed on 15-1-96. A further call is to be 
launched on 15-12-96. The implications for the 
deployment of services and possible actions arc 
being assessed in areas such as healthcare, 
public administrations, education and training, 
libraries and related areas, transport, urban and 
rural development, research networks, disabled 
and elderly people. 
Decision on a specific RTD 
programme in the field of 
transport Council adoption 
94/914/EC 
O.J.:L361 
Further Calls 15-12-94 
31-12-94 
96- 97 The first call for proposals closed on 15-3-95 
and a second call on 15-3-96. A third call will 
be launched on 17-12-96 with a closing date of 
the 17-3-97. 
The programme contributes to integrating into 
the transport system a number of technologies 
linked to the information society notably 
telematics tools. The programme will also 
assess the potential policy impact of the use of 
such technologies. 
Decision on a specific RTD 
programme on targeted 
socio-economic research 
(TSER) Council adoption 12-94 
Further Calls 96- 97 Research into the socio-economic aspects of the 
information society arc a major theme of the 
programme. The first call took place in 1995 
and the second in 10-96. 
Current projects include socio-economic 
analyses of user-producer interaction, 
application in the services sector, and learning 
applications. The second call includes pathways 
to a European I.S., quality of working, 
domestic, social and political life: and effectue 
introduction of ICT into education and Irainmu. 
l';ii;c. 12 
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Europe's Rolling Action Plan for Information Society 
Sprvific Measures Dicisimi M;ikin< 
PlIK'i'S.V C'iiliink'i- lrA()l.iii.ili(tns - Implications 
B.3. PEOPLE AT THE CENTRE 
H Decision on the ADAPT-
H BIS Community Initiative 
H under the Structural Funds 
»| Decision on the SIMAP 
ra (Système d'Information pour 
IH les Marchés Publics) 
lffi3j?3lfllll Decision on IDA 
^^^^^H Programme: Telematic 
H||f||t|H|Httiftt||IW||iW interchange of data between 
pjn^^m Directive concerning the 
Bltfl|]Mltft« processing of personal data 
WIWWHtWWHtiB and the protection of privacy 
IPlSlllffllH m tnc telecommunications 
|tttftti||tttt||ft|i[f||f8 sector, in particular in the 
flgiiiliEiffl Integrated Services Digital 
^H^^^ Networks (ISDN) and in the 
BflllJIPftWi public digital mobile 
[!|{§W{|{Pffl networks 
flolflflfffll Directive amending the 
^^^^^m " television without 
^^^^^M Frontiers" Directive Commission 
adoption 
Launching of projects 
Commission 
adoption 
COM(95) 107 
OJ: C 138 
Project launch 
Council adoption 
Council adoption 
95/468/EC 
Further Calls 
Common position 
EP and Council 
adoption 
Common position 
SEC 96/1292 
Adoption by EP and 
Council and EP 
adoption 96 
97-99 
3-6-95 
95 
20-1-95 
6-11-95 
96-97 
9-96 
5-97 
7-96 
1st Q 97 The ADAPT-BIS (building information society) 
Community Initiative will reinforce the support 
currently given to facilitating the adaptation of 
workers to the'information society and the 
creation of new jobs, in particular SMEs, and to 
evaluating and promoting innovations in work 
organisation. 
The first SIMAP projects were launched in July 
1994 and entered their pilot phase in November 
1995, with the participation of all Member 
States as well as Norway, Switzerland and 
Iceland. SIMAP aims to prepare the way for the 
introduction of electronic tendering procedures 
for public procurement. Electronic tendering, 
will be further addressed in the forthcoming 
Green Paper on Public Procurement. 
Over 25 trans-European telematics projects arc 
being implemented. IDA users (EC and 
agencies, other European institutions, Member 
States administrations ) will gradually migrate 
to the use of common telematic services which 
will be provided through TESTA (Trans-
European Services for Telematics between 
Administrations), which is expected to be in 
operation towards the end of 1997. 
Following the adoption of the general directive 
(see 1.3) progress is being made on this 
measure, which provides a specific set of 
safeguards, based on the general directive, but 
adapted to the telecommunications sector. It is 
central to maintaining public confidence in the 
emergence of. in particular, personal 
communications in the information society 
Regulatory framework for transnational 
movement of television broadcasting services. 
1'iiitl dalo 1 |/26/'X., 3:13 I'M. 
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Europe's Rolling Action Plan for Information Society 
Spmtk Mt'iisuics Diiision M.ikins * CnU-niliT 
1'lltCCSS :-"' l.\pi;in;itioiis - Implications 
High Level Expert Group 
on the Social and Societal 
Aspects of the information 
socictv Commission 
Decision 
First interim report 
Final report 21-2-95 
1-96 
12-96 The Group published its First Reflections report 
"Building the European information society for 
us all", in January 1996. This report focuses on 
the following themes: employment, work 
organisation, the future of work, labour 
markets, social cohesion, regional cohesion, 
education and training, health, culture, media 
and democracy. 
Information Society Forum Commission 
Decision 
(SEC (95) 287/7) 
First annual report 
Second annual report 21-2-95 
26-6-96 
97 The Forum has 128 members from five main 
fields of activity: users of the new technologies, 
social groups, content and service providers, 
network operators and institutions. 
The Forum has published its first annual 
entitled "Netwoik for people and their 
communities. Making the most of the 
information society in the EU". This report 
focuses on the following issues: the cultural 
dimension, the future of the media, sustainable 
development, social and democratic values, 
employment, education, training and learning. 
Inter-Regional 
Information Society 
Initiative (IRISI) 
a) initial 6 regions 
b) further regional strategies 
c) inter-regional projects Memorandum of 
Understanding 
(MoU) 
Development of 
regional strategics 11-94 
94-> 
3-97 
Regional information 
society initiative (RISI) 
• RISI strategy building 
(23 regions) 
• RISI 2-pilot 
applications Launching of projects 
Duration : 2 years 
Duration. 3 vcars 4Q96 IRISI attempted to demonstrate a methodology 
based on subsidiarity and a bottom-up approach 
for creating awareness among the general 
public and decision makers. The six 
participating [North West of England(UK), 
Nord Pas-dc-Calais(F), Valcncia(E). Central 
Macedonia (GR) and Picmonte(I)] had to 
outline a strategy on the information society by 
analysing the base-line situation and assessing 
the opportunities for building the information 
society, through a concerted effort bringing 
together all the relevant regional actors.The 
innovative nature of the IRISI approach rests on 
the institutional mechanism by which strategy 
lias been developed, i.e. a partnership between 
all key players in a region.The success of the 
IRISI initiatives has convinced the Commission 
to continue in that direction with a new 
generation of innovative actions under Art. 10 of 
the ERDF and Art.6 of the ESF. The general 
approach aims at enabling and facilitating 
learning processes within a given region and 
between regions. The initiative has meant that 
nearly 25% of all eligible regions under the 
structural funds arc currently engaged in this 
process of strategy building and of us 
translation into an action plan. 
!';U;c 14 
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Specific Miasmes Dtiisiitn Making (alindor 
PlIKfSS ilanatitms - Implications 
B.4. MEETING THE GLOBAL CHALLENGE 
Multilateral Negotiations 
on basic telecommunications 
services in the context of the 
World Trade Organisation 
(WTO) Commission 
negotiates on behalf 
of the Community 
and its Member 
States. Coordination 
in the 113 Committee 15-2-97 The establishment of ground rules will be 
followed by the exchange of commitments 
opening and securing access to export markets 
for EU industries. For the Union, these shall be 
based upon the internal liberalisation process. 
The aim is to reach a conclusion by 15 February 
1997 
Negotiations and 
Diplomatic Conference of 
WIPO on the possible 
conclusion of three 
international treaties (Treaty 
on certain questions 
concerning the protection of 
literary and artistic works; 
Treaty on the protection of 
the rights of performers and 
producers of phonograms; 
Treaty on intellectual 
property with respect to 
databases) Commission 
negotiates on behalf 
of the Community 
and its Member 
States with respect to 
matters of its 
competence 12-96 The envisaged treaties aim at setting minimum 
standards of protection for works and other 
subject matter in the information society at 
international level. In view of the Community 
competence for copyiight and related rights, the 
approval of the treaties by the European 
Community, besides the Member States is 
crucial. 
Negotiations on 
Information Technology' 
Agreements: 
Recommendations on duty 
reductions for information 
technology products Commission 
negotiates on behalf 
on the Community 
and its Member -
States. 
Coordination in the 
Article 113 
Committee 96-97 The cornerstone of the agreement is the 
elimination of tariffs for information technology 
products between, at minimum, a critical mass 
of major IT producing countries. 
Decision on a specific 
programme on international 
RTD cooperation (INCO) of 
the 4th Framework 
Programme for RTD Council adoption 
Council adoption 
Further calls 96-98 R&D projects have already been launched with 
third countries the process of execution in the 
field of communication technologies and 
Telematics applications. 
Further calls will address information networks 
for SMEs and research centres, telcworking, 
telematics applications for health and education, 
language engineering and the creation of a 
network of Innovation Relay Centres. 
p..,-,,- i.s 
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Europe's Rolling Action Plan for Information Society 
Spwiik Measures Diiisiitii Making 
l'lmcs.v C'aUnUcr Explanation* - Implications 
E * 1 G7-Pilot Projects 
Information society Forum 
with Central and Eastern 
Europe (Prague) 
Follow up actions on 
information society in the 
CEECs 
International Conference 
on 'the creation of the Euro-
1 K/fcrtitprranr>an infinrmntinn 
1 socictv" (Rome) 
I Follow up of Euro-
1 Mediterranean Conference Launched at the G7 
Ministerial 
Conference in 
Brussels in February 
1995. 2-95 
12/13-9-96 
97 
30/31-
5-96 
97 As a result of the G7 conference in Brussels in 
Fcb-95, 11 projects have been launched: Global 
Inventory Project, Global Interoperability of 
Broadband Networks, Cross-cultural education 
and training, Bibliotheca Universalis, 
Multimedia access to world cultural heritage. 
Environment and natural resources 
management, Global emergency management 
information network initiative, Global 
healthcare applications, Government On-line. 
Global marketplace for SMEs, Maritime 
information Systems. 
In June 1995, the first Forum on the 
Information Society was held with the countries 
of Central and Eastern Europe. A follow-up 
meeting of the Forum took place in September 
1996 in order to develop a workplan. Four 
thematic panels were set up in order to prepare 
the next meeting of the Forum: strategy and 
policy for I.S., implementation of the Action 
Plan, education and training, application of ICT 
in public administrations. 
An Action Plan has been drawn up outlining a 
number of future actions. 
The conference focused on the cognitive 
dimension of the IS and the regulatory basis for 
its development. Workshops were held on: 
research networks, telecommunications 
regulatory aspects and for educational 
dimension. These actions were launched as a 
follow-up of the Ministerial Euro-Mcd-
Confcrcncc in Barcelona. 
Following the conference, a follow-up Action 
Plan is being prepared which will incorporate 
three types of measures: dialogue measures 
(workshops), training programmes and regional 
pilot and R&D projects. 
i'ai'0 l(> 
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Europe's Rolling Action Plan for Information Society 
Specific Measures Decision Making 
Process FAplanatious - Implications 
Implementation of 
Directive (91/263/EEC, 
April 1991) on the 
approximation of the laws of 
the Member States 
concerning telecom terminal 
equipment, including the 
mutual recognition of their 
conformity Mutual 
Recognition Agreements 
(MRAs) Art. 10.5 of this Directive states that European 
regulator}' bodies shall recognise documentation 
issued by third country relevant bodies, when 
agreements between the Community and the 
third country concerned have been concluded. 
A mandate has been given by the Council to the 
Commission to negotiate MRAs for the 
regulated areas, by which public authorities will 
recognise the validity of certificates issued in 
the territory of the other country. 
Negotiations are currently taking place between 
the EU and USA, Canada. New Zealand, 
Australia, Switzerland and Japan. 
Preliminary meetings have taken place with 
Korea. Singapore and Israel in 1995. 
C. ACCOMPLISHED ACTIONS 
C*l» Improving the business environment 
300 
301 
302 Communication on 
consultation on 
Infrastructure Green Papers 
Communication on the 
present status and future 
approach for open access to 
telecommunications 
networks and services (Open 
Network Provision - ONP) 
Communication on the 
follow-up to the Green 
Paper on copyright and 
related rights in the 
information society Commission adoption 
COM (95) 158 
Commission adoption 
COM (94) 513 
Commission 
adoption 5-95 
11-94 
1 1 -96 Report on the results of the public consultation 
on the Commission's proposal for action 
The Communication confirmed the importance 
of the ONP principles of open and efficient 
access in the liberalised telccoms environment 
from 1998. It considered the scope of 
application of ONP and launched the debate 
prior to the submission of legislation at the end 
of 1995. 
The Communication will contain a brief 
assessment of the consultation procedure around 
the Green Paper and set out the Commission's 
working programme in the field of copyright 
and related rights in the information society in 
the framework of the Internal Market. 
I'aye 17 
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Prmess ( alcmler i-Apluratii.-ns • Siiipli 
#03liÉ|ij Communication on 
Universal Service in 
telecommunications Commission adoption 
COM (96) 73 18-3-96 Building on the consensus established around 
the infrastructure Green Paper, the Commission 
presented a survey of the level and availability 
of universal service within the EU. It also drew 
together the elements of the 1998 package 
relating to universal service to propose a 
strengthening of the concept of voice telephony 
sen ices, in particular with regard to 
affordability and quality of service. It also 
examined the impact of universal service on 
regional and social cohesion, criteria for its 
evolution over time and the relationship 
between universal service and the information 
socictv. 
304 ] Communication on follow-
up to Green Paper on mobile 
& personal communications Commission adoption 
COM (94) 492 
Council Resolution 23-11-94 
13-6-95 The Communication reported on the views 
expressed in the Consultation on the Mobile 
G.P. and proposed concrete measures and a 
timetable to act on the consensus which 
emerged. On the basis of this, political support 
was sought from the Member States. 
305 1 Communication on the 
future development of the 
market in directories and 
other telecom information 
services in a competitive 
environment Commission adoption 
COM (95) 43 10-10.-95 The communication highlighted the importance 
of directory services in the general context of 
the information society and described the 
guidelines and principles which have been set 
out for directory services in various directives 
and other Community acts. Both the EP and the 
Council reacted positively to the 
communication (Presidency conclusions of 21st 
March 1996 Telecom Council and EP 
resolution of 22nd May 1996). 
mm Communication on wider 
use of standardisation to 
support EU policy Commission adoption 
COM(95)412 30-10-95 
307: 
308 Communication on 
"Standardisation and the 
global information society: 
The European approach" Commission adoption 
COM(%) 359 24-7-96 
Communication on the 
directive on mutual 
recognition of type approval 
for terminals Commission adoption 
COM(%) I 14 9-96 The aim of this Communication is to examine 
how. in the light of the characteristics of the 
ICT market and the ICT standards process, the 
best possible conditions can be created for the 
drawing up of standards needed for the 
implementation of the Information Society, and 
to indicate by what means the Community 
intends to promote those aspects for which it 
has particular responsibility. 
The report was published on the 27th of March 
1996. 
'i ml .laic: I \ • 2(< '><>. 3 \3 I'M. 
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Europe's Rolling Action Plan for Information Society 
Specific Measures Decision Making 
PltlCCSS Calender Explanations. Implications 
309 
310 
311 
312 
313 Communication for the 
introduction of advanced 
television services in Europe 
Decision on guidelines for 
TEN-ISDN 
Directive amending 
Commission Directive 
90/388/EEC of 23-July-1990 
regarding the 
implementation of full 
competition in 
telecommunication markets 
Directive amending 
Commission Directive 
90/388/EEC of 23-July-1990 
regarding the abolition of 
the restrictions on the use of 
cable TV networks for the 
provision of telecom services 
Directive amending 
Commission Directive 
90/388/EEC of 23-July-1990 
regarding mobile and 
personal communications Commission adoption 
COM (96) 346 
2717/95/EC Council 
and EP adoption 
OJ: 
Commission adoption 
Directive 96/19 
OJ: L 74/13 
Commission adoption 
Directive 95/51/EC 
OJ: L 256/49 
Commission adoption 
COM (96) 
Directive 96/2/EC 
OJ: L 20/59 7-96 
9-11-95 
13-3-96 
22-3-96 
18-10-95 
26-10-% 
16-1-96 
26-01-96 Financial support mechanism to assist 
broadcasters and programme producers with 
extra costs of introducing wide-screen 16.9 
format. The 16.9 screen format is the only 
globally agreed parameter for the future of TV, 
including HDTV. It embodies cinema/TV 
convergence. Publication of a call 96/2 for 
broadcasting and programme production 
proposals in Oct 96. 
The objective is the development of a range of 
services and applications based on EURO-
ISDN: A number of projects have been 
launched in 1995 and the 1996 call was issued 
on 13 April with a closing date of 24th June. 
Following political agreement on the full 
liberalisation of voice telephony services and 
infrastnicture, this measure gives legal form to 
the date of the 1st of January 1996 and provides 
for possible transitional periods for Greece. | 
Ireland, Portugal, Spain and Luxembourg 
subject to Commission approval. The measure 
also provides for early liberalisation from 1996 j 
of alternative?infrastructures for liberalised j 
telccoms services and sets out principles under j 
the competition rules for licensing. j 
interconnection, universal service, numbering j 
and directory' services.. 
Following political agreement on the early 
liberalisation of alternative infrastructure for 
sen ices which arc already open to competition, 
this measure provides for the use of cable 
television networks to deliver such services 
from 1996. It also provides for possible 
transitional periods for Greece. Ireland. 
Portugal. Spain and Luxembourg subject to 
Commission approval. 
The measure fully opens the market for mobile 
communications to competition as foreseen in 
the 1994 Mobile Green Paper. It provides for 
self-provision of infrastructure or use of third 
party infrastnicture and allows from 1998 direct 
interconnection between mobile networks. It 
requires Member States to consider requests for 
licences for DECT systems from 1996 and for 
DCS 1SOO digital mobile networks from 1998 
nut ii:iic. 1 1 2<>•,»C. 3 \3 I'M. 
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Europe's Rolling Action Plan for Information Society 
Specific Measures Decision M;ik'm« 
PlllCt'SS Calender FApI;uKttii>us - Implicit ions 
314 
: 
315 
31(5 
317 
318 Directive on the application 
of ONP (Open Network 
Provision) to voice 
telephony 
Directive on satellite-
communications: 
liberalisation of satellite 
services and terminals 
Directive on the use of TV-
standards 
Directive on legal 
protection of databases 
Green Paper on numbering Commission adoption 
COM(95) 575 
Directive 95/62/EC 
Council and EP 
Adoption 
OJ:L 321/6 
Directive 94/46/EC 
OJ: L 268/15 
Council and EP 
adoption 
Directive 95/47/EC 
O.J.: 23/11/95 No. 
L281/5 
Directive 96/9/EC 
Council and EP 
adoption 
OJ: L 77/20 
Commission 
adoption 27-11-95 
13-12-95 
30-12-96 
13-10-94 
19-10-94 
24-10-95 
11-3-96 
27-03-96 
11-96 This directive has been re-submitted at the 
urging of EP, following its rejection of the 
Council Common Position in July 1994, the 
conciliation procedure having failed over the 
issue of comitology. The proposal builds on the 
agreements reached between the Council and 
the EP during the conciliation procedure. The 
Directive's three fundamental objectives arc: 
- determining the rights of the users of voice 
telephony services in their relations with 
telecommunications bodies 
- improving access for all users, including the 
providers of services, to the fixed infrastructure 
of public telephone networks (the Directive does 
not apply to mobile telephones) 
- encouraging the provision of voice telephony 
services at Community level (see also A 1.10). 
Following Council Resolution 92/C8/01 the 
Directive extends the scope of Directives 
88/301/EEC and 90/388/EEC to remove 
monopolies over satellite equipment and 
services 
The Directive provides a regulatory framework 
for advanced TV (16:9. digital. HDTV) 
including standards; and deals with the issue of 
conditional access to digital pay television, 
following the outcome of an industry-wide 
consultation on this topic. 
The Directive provides for the harmonisation of 
the author's right relating to the structure of 
databases and for the creation of a new right 
protecting substantial investments made by 
makers of databases. 
The rapid development of the telecom market 
means that reform of the numbering 
environment will be inevitable. This reform will 
need to be based on an agreement on the 
political priorities, stemming both from the 
liberalisation trend and from changing 
technological trends. 
The technical work will follow on from this. 
The Green Paper is intended to initiate a broad 
consultation with sector players on these 
matters. 
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I'liicess lalcmlcr lApfiiiiati.ins - Implications 
319 
320 
321 
322 
323 Green Paper on the legal 
protection of encrypted 
services 
Green Paper on the 
liberalisation of telecom 
infrastructure and cable TV 
networks: principles & 
timetable (Part I) 
Green Paper on the 
liberalisation of telecom 
infrastructure and cable TV 
networks: implementation 
measures (Part II) 
Green Paper on copyright 
and related rights in the 
information society 
Recommendations relating 
to the legal aspects of 
electronic data interchange 
(EDI) Commission adoption 
COM (96) 76 
COM (94) 440 
Council Resolution 
EP Resolution 
COM (94) 682 
Council Resolution 
EP Resolution 
May-95 
Commission 
adoption 
COM (95) 382 
Commission adoption 6-3-96 
17-11-94 
4-95 
13-6-95 
5-95 
Jul-95 
19-10-94 The Green Paper aims to identify, in the light of 
the Internal Market principles, the measures 
needed to safeguard the legal protection of 
encrypted services at an equal level throughout 
the Community. It is closely related to IPR 
protection, to media policy and to the Directive 
on satellite and cable broadcasting of 1993. 
The Green Paper establishes the general 
principle of the free choice of infrastructure to 
deliver services already open to competition. It 
proposes immediate limited action and links full 
competition to the 1998 date for services 
liberalisation. 
The Green Paper has launched a consultation on 
the issues raised by allowing competition in 
infrastnicture for the basic telephone service 
and the relevant safeguards. It sets out future 
policy on infrastnicture liberalisation and 
initiates public debate on the issues. 
The Green Paper identifies in detail those issues 
in the field of copyright where initiatives may 
be needed with respect to the IPRs exploited for 
the new electronic services. It is based on the 
conclusions of a hearing with inteiestcd circles 
in July 1994. The deadline for written 
submissions was end October 1995. A hearing 
on certain specific questions in relation to 
technical systems of identification and 
protection and on certain aspects related to the 
acquisition and administration of rights took 
place in January 1996. The consultation process 
was closed in the context of a Conference on 
the matter held in Florence in June 1996. 
EDI users arc recommended to use a European 
model EDI Agreement and Member States arc 
recommended to facilitate the use of this model 
agreement, which legal provisions aim at 
providing a contractual approach to the legal 
issues related to the use of EDI. 
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Europe's Rolling Action Plan for Information Society 
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CX INVESTING IN THE FUTURE 
324 
325 Communication on a 
methodology for the 
implementation of 
information society 
applications 
Communication on 
Information Society: From 
Corfu to Dublin, The new 
emerging priorities Commission 
adoption 
COM (95) 224 
Commission 
adoption 
COM (96) 395 13-6-95 
24-7-96 This communications proposes a 
methodological approach of a general nature 
for the implementation of all types of 
applications which represent the driving force 
of the information society. 
The objective of this communication is to 
indicate the impact of the information society 
on European Union policies, thereby 
highlighting future priorities: improving of 
the business environment: investing in the 
future; putting people at the centre; meeting 
the global challenge. The information society 
Council of the 8-10-96 welcomed the 
intention of the Commission to present a 
revised action plan to the Dublin Summit. 
C.3. PEOPLE AT THE CENTRE 
326; Communication on 
telematics applications for 
transport in Europe Commission 
adoption 
COM (94) 469 • 
Resolution EP 
Council resolution 
95/264/01 4-11-94 
6-95 
28-9-95 The communication provides the basis for an 
action plan for the implementation of Transport 
Telematics in Europe. Financial engineering of 
public-private partnerships needs closer 
attention. The Council Resolution of Sept-95 
concentrates on Telematics Applications in 
Road Transport, identifies priorities for short 
term actions and recommends the setting up of a 
High Level group to assist the Commission with 
the strategy for deployment. 
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Europe's Rolling Action Plan for Information Society 
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327 
328 
329 
330 Communication on 
Teaching and learning -
Towards the learning society 
Communication on harmful 
and illegal content on 
Internet 
Decision on the Media II 
Programme 
Decision on guidelines for 
the trans- European 
transport network Commission 
adoption 
COM(96)471 
Commission adoption 
COM (96) 487 
Commission 
adoption 
COM(95) 263 
Council adoption 
95/564/EC 
Council adoption 
95/563/EC 
Council and EP 
adoption 
OJ: L228 2-10-96 
16-10-96 
22-6-95 
22-12-95 
10-7-95 
9-9-96 Requested by the European Council at Florence 
(June 1996), the proposed action plan is aiming 
at increasing the synergies among national 
initiatives to promote the use of new 
technologies in education. The objectives are to 
speed up the diffusion of common multimedia 
platforms for learning, the development of 
quality educational content, the training of 
teachers and the exchange of experiences 
through setting up a European school network 
based on the interconnection of existing school 
networks. 
A European conference (Dcc-96, Brussels) will 
take stock of developments in national schools 
networks, as well as needs, experiences and 
difficulties encountered. 
The Communication refers to the legal and 
regulatory challenges posed by content 
circulating on the Internet, giving particular 
emphasis on the issue of harmful and illegal 
content. It proposes options for short term 
action to combat or control such content (self-
regulation, technical protection means, 
improved international co-operation, education 
and awareness). 
Financial support mechanisms for key sectors of 
the programmes industry. The Commission's 
proposal has two parts: 
MEDIA II - training (1996 - 2000). A 
programme for the training of professionals of 
the European audiovisual programme industry 
MEDIA II - development and distribution 
(1996 - 2000). This programme aims to promote 
the development and the distribution of 
audiovisual works. 
Intelligent transport systems (ITS) for traffic 
management, positioning and navigation is an 
integral part of the Trans European Networks-
Transport guidelines. They include the 
necessary technical installations and 
information and telecommunications systems to 
ensure harmonious and efficient traffic 
management. All the priorities of the guidelines 
such as connections, key links, interconnections, 
interoperability, provisions relating to the 
environment, the optimisation of capacity and 
efficiency, safety apply to ITS and require the 
use of ITS for their achievement. 
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Europe's Rolling Action Plan for Information Society 
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Pimccss Calender Explanations - Implications 
ma Decision on INFO 2000 
Programme Commission 
adoption 
COM (95) 149 
Council adoption 
96/339/EC 30-6-95 
20-5-96 A multi-annual programme to stimulate the 
development of a European multimedia content 
industry and to encourage the use of multimedia 
content in the emerging information society. 
mm Decision on a Multi-annual 
programme on 
Multiligualism in the 
Information Society 
Programme (MLIS) Commission 
adoption 
COM (96) 456 
Council adoption 
O.J. : 2-10-96 
8-10-96 The multiannual programme promotes 
multilingnalism in the information society and 
has been allocated a budget of 15MECU. It 
includes the following action lines: 
a. Support for the creation of a framework of 
services for European Languages; 
b. Encouraging the use of modern language 
technologies, resources and standards; 
c. Promoting the use of advanced language tools 
in the European public sector; d. Accompanying 
measures. 
im Directive on the protection 
of individuals with regard to 
the processing of personal 
data and on the free 
movement of such data EP and Council 
adoption 
95/46/EC 
OJ: L 281/31 24-10-95 
23-11-95 The general directive provides for a number of 
rights for the data subject and of obligations on 
the controller of data processing (fair 
processing, quality of data, law- fullness of 
processing, notification of certain processing). 
The directive is designed to ensure a high level 
of protection for individuals and creates a level 
playing field for the free circulation of personal 
data in the Community. The principles of the 
Directive apply to all areas of the Information 
Society and will constitute the basis for specific 
rules in the telecommunications field 
334 Green Paper: Living and 
working in the Information 
Society: People first Commission 
adoption 
COM(96) 389 24.7.96 The Green Paper forms the basis for a wide 
discussion on social, economic and 
technological challenges in the context of 
employment and economic structure, future of 
work, labour market and learning and living in 
the Information Society. 
A consultative process was officially launched 
in a Colloquium held in Dublin and organised 
together with the Irish Presidency. Contributions 
and reactions to the Green Paper will be invited 
from the widest possible audience until the end 
of 1996. 
335 Green Paper on the 
protection of Minors and 
Human Dignity in 
Audiovisual and 
Information Services Commission adoption 
COM (96)483 ICA10-96 The Green Paper will initiate a medium to long 
term reflection on the issue of the protection ol~ 
minors and human dignity in audiovisual and 
information services. 
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336 White Paper on "Teaching 
and learning - Towards the 
learning society" Commission 
adoption 
COM(95) 590 29-11-95 This White Paper is part of a process designed 
simultaneously to provide an analysis and to put 
forward guidelines for action in the fields of 
education and training. After describing what is 
at stake and analysing the changes which need 
to be considered, while respecting the principle 
of subsidiarity, the White Paper suggests five 
general objectives for action setting out for each 
of them one or more support projects at 
Community level. 
CA MEETING THE GLOBAL CHALLENGE 
337 
338 International Conference 
at G7 ministerial level on 
information society 
(Brussels) 
International Conference 
on information society and 
development (ISAD) in 
South Africa 
• 2-95 
13/15-5-96 A meeting of relevant G7 ministers took place 
in Brussels on Feb 25-26 1995. The meeting 
emphasised the necessity to encourage the 
development of a world-wide information 
society. Eleven pilot projects were identified for 
international cooperation. The'implemcntation 
of the G7 conclusions across the different EC 
policies related to Information Society is under 
way. A progress report on the pilot project was 
presented at the Halifax G7 meeting in June 
South African Vice President Mbcki. proposed 
at the occasion of the G7 Conference in 
Brussels an Information Society Conference 
with the developing countries hosted by South 
Africa. The conference took place in May with 
the participation of many developing countries. 
Contacts have been established with the 
Egyptian government for the preparation of a 
follow-up meeting. 
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ISSN 0254-1475 
COM(96) 607 final 
DOCUMENTS 
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