Amended proposal for a EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND COUNCIL DECISION on a series of guidelines for trans-European telecommunications networks
Date: 1996-03-20
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: communications policy, information technology, technological change, trans-European network, transmission network

COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES 

Brussels,  20.03.1996 
COM(96)  108  final 

95/0124  (COD) 

Amended  proposal  for  a 

EUROPEAN  PARLIAMENT  AND  COUNCIL  DECISION 

on  a  series  of  guidelines  for  trans-European  telecommunications  networks 

(presented  by  the  Commission  pursuant  to  Article  189 a  (2) 
of  the  EC-Treaty) 

EXPLANATORY  MEMORANDUM 

1.  Introduction 

On 31 May  1995 the Commission  adopted  a proposal  for  a European Parliament  and 
1.1 
Council  Decision  on  a  series  of  guidelines  for  trans-European  telecommunications  networks 
(COM(95)224  final).  This proposal  was  submitted  to the European Parliament  and  the  Council 
on  8 June  1995. 

1.2 

1.3 

1.4 

The Economic  and  Social  Committee  endorsed  the  proposal  on  22 November  1995. 

The  Council  reached  agreement  on the proposal  on  27 November  1995. 

The  Committee  of the Regions  endorsed  the  proposal  on  18 January  1996. 

1.5 
proposed  35  amendments  to the text  originally  proposed  by  the  Commission. 

The European Parliament adopted its opinion on first reading on  1 February  1996. This 

1.6 
principle.  It  is unable  to  accept  the  remaining  13 amendments. 

The Commission  can  accept  13 of these  amendments,  5 others  in part  and  4  more  in 

1.7 
The  reasons  which  prompted  the  Commission  to  take  these  positions  on  the 
amendments  are  explained  in  Section  3 below.  The full  text  of the original  proposal  (left-hand 
column) is set out alongside the full  text of the amended  proposal  (right-hand  column) in Annex 
1. 

2.  Objective  of  the  proposal 

the  domains  for  projects  of  common 

The  objective  of  this  proposal  is  for  the European  Parliament  and  Council  to  adopt,  following 
the  codecision  procedure,  a  series  of  guidelines  (as  provided  for  by  Article  129c  of the  Treaty 
on  European  Union)  covering  the  objectives,  priorities  and  broad  lines  of  measures  envisaged 
and 
trans-European 
telecommunications  networks.  In  the  domains  for  projects  of  common  interest  identified  in 
Annex  1  to the Decision,  it is proposed that the Commission  publish  calls for  proposals in order 
to select specific projects of common interest, with the assistance of a type Ilia committee, based 
on  a work  programme  updated  whenever  necessary  (probably  every  year). 

the  field  of 

interest 

in 

The proposal  gives priority to applications of collective interest where, in the context  of opening 
up  the  sector  to  competition,  public  intervention,  particularly  in  the  form  of  encouraging 
partnerships  between  the  public  and  private  sectors,  can  provide  citizens,  businesses  and 
administrations  in  the  Community  with  a  series  of  instruments  needed  for  them  to  enter  the 
information  society. 

3.  Commission's  position  on  the  amendments  proposed  by  the  European  Parliament  on 
first  reading 

3.1 

Amendments  accepted 

The Commission  accepts amendments  1, 2 (first  part), 3, 4, 7 (first  part),  10, 11 (with one minor 
amendment),  15,  16 (first  part), 20, 22 (with  one minor  amendment), 24, 25, 26, 27 (first  part), 
28,  31  (first  part)  and  34. 

Amendment  1 clarifies  the first recital  and calls for  particular  attention to be paid to  SMEs and 
the  less  developed  or  peripheral  regions. 

The  first  part  of  amendment  2 stresses the importance  of the Euro-ISDN  which  is the  network 
on  which  the  trans-European  applications  will  be  deployed  in the immediate  future. 

Amendment 3 adds a new recital rightly stressing the need for coordination with other initiatives. 
This  need  is  also  echoed  in  point  4 of  Annex  1. 

Amendment  4  improves  the  original  wording  to  render  the  same  idea. 

The first part of amendment  7 puts the accent on real  needs not  covered by mere market  forces; 
these  correspond  to the  applications  of  collective  interest  for  which  priority  is  proposed. 

Amendments  10 and  15 bring  the text  closer  to the wording  of  the  Treaty. 

Amendment  11 is a useful  addition;  only the word  "technical" to describe the transition  towards 
the  information  society  must  be  deleted,  as it  is  overrestrictive. 

The first part  of amendment  16 is justified  as it clarifies  the real  nature of the work  programme 
prepared  by  the  Commission  at this  stage. 

Amendment  20 provides a reminder that the guidelines applicable to Euro-ISDN  are adopted by 
the  European  Parliament  and  the  Council. 

The  first  part  of  amendment  22  is  acceptable  since  the  text  deleted  has  been  moved  to 
amendment  23.  The  second  part  rightly  stresses  the  importance  of  providing  non-proprietary 
tools  for  development  of new  applications.  However,  it  seems unrealistic  to require the  generic 
services  to  provide  such  tools.  It  is therefore  proposed  to  replace  "providing"  by  "promoting". 

Amendment  24  is  a useful  addition  to the  point  on  "distance  education  and  training". 

Amendment  25  adds  to the  point  on  "transport  telematics" the  domains  which  Parliament  gave 
priority  when  adopting  the  provisions  on  the trans-European  transport  network. 

Amendment  26  draws  attention  to  important  social  aspects  of  teleworking. 

The  first  part  of  amendment  27  (excluding  "gradual  approximation  of  conditions  and  terms  of 
employment"  which  appears unrealistic)  is a useful  addition  to the  point  on  "telematic  services 
for  the job  market". 

Amendment  28  is  a useful  addition  to the  point  on  "cultural  and  linguistic  heritage". 

The  first  part  of  amendment  31 rightly  extends  the media which  can be  used  for  generic  services 
to  include  emerging  fixed  or  mobile  networks. 

Amendment  34  is  an  acceptable  simplification. 

3.2 

Amendments  acceptable  in  principle 

Amendments  6,  8,  23  and  35  (second  part)  are  acceptable  in  principle.  The  proposal  is to  adopt 
the  ideas  in  more  appropriate  form. 

Amendment  6  stresses  (although  the  wording  can  be  improved)  the  need  for  coordination 
between  Community  programmes  and  that  the  projects  of  common  interest  are  projects  to 
produce  applications  (which,  although  well-founded,  must  not  preclude  a  demonstration  or 
validation  phase  before  moving  on  to  full  deployment  of  the  project  to  check  in  a  limited,  but 
representative  geographical  area  that  the  application  actually  provides  the  service  expected  in 
conditions  economically  acceptable  to  users).  Recital  16  therefore  now  reads: 

'Whereas  effective  coordination  needs  to  be  ensured  between  the  implementation  of  the  trans-
excluding 
European 
telecommunications  networks,  which  must  address  real-world  concerns, 
the  specific 
experimental  projects,  and  the  different  Community  programmes,  particularly 
programmes  of  the  fourth  framework  programme 
for  research,  technological  development  and 
demonstration, 
in  favour  of  SMEs  and  with  information  content  oriented 
the  programmes 
programmes 

(such  as  INFO  2000,  Media  2)  and  other  information  society  activities.  " 

Amendment  8  mentions  the  need  to  use,  on  a  synergetic  basis,  all  appropriate  forms  of  aid  for 
TEN  activities,  as  advocated  by  the  Commission  in  the  fifth  paragraph  of  Annex  1.  Since 
references  are  made  elsewhere  in  the  text  to  the  Structural  Funds,  the  benefits  for  the  internal 
market  and  strengthening  industrial  competitiveness  and economic  and social  cohesion,  repetition 
of  these  points  here  only  complicates  the  text.  The  proposal  is  therefore  to  amend  recital  19  to 
read: 

"  ...  of  Community  financial  aid  in  the  field  of trans-European  networks;  whereas,  nevertheless, 
use  should  also  be  made,  on  a  synergetic  basis  and  in  line  with  their  specific  rules,  of  the 
implementation  of  the  lines  of  action  in  the 
Community  financial 
telecommunications  networks,  with a view  to deriving  maximum  benefit 
sphere  of trans-European 
from  coordination  of  the  different  sources  of funding;  whereas,  following 
the  abovementioned 
Regulation, 

the  concerned  Member  State  shall  give  ..." 

instruments  which  can favour 

Amendment  23  includes  points  deleted  by  amendments  22 and  29  and  applies to  all  applications. 
This  idea  is acceptable,  but  the  part  on  local  languages  must  leave  open  the  possibility  of  access 
to  non-professional  services  in  a  language  other  than  the  local  language.  Also,  it  is  not  possible 
to  assess  the  social  and  societal  impact  of  each  application  (see  the  comments  on  amendment 
12,  point  2  in  section  3.3  below)  and  this  section  is  therefore  too  binding.  Under 
the 
circumstances,  the  amendment  accepted  reads: 

"Applications  must  take  account,  where  necessary,  of  local  linguistic  constraints  and  be 
interoperable  between 
the 
the  widest  possible  populations  of  users  and  facilitate  users' 
Communiiv.  Thev  must  address 
interest." 
access  to  services  of  collective 

the  maximum  benefit 

to  the  users  across 

themselves 

to  bring 

The second  part  of amendment  35 adds a definition  of the  "transnational"  nature of the  projects 
which was included, in more appropriate form,  in a declaration  made by the Commission  during 
the negotiations within  the Council.  The proposal  is to amend Parliament's  proposal  as  follows: 

"...  Article 3.  These projects  must  be transnational in the sense  that they shall  be conceived  to 
satisfy  needs  existing  in  several  Member  States  and  to  be  implemented  in  several  Member 
States.  This  does  not  prevent  the  initial  phase  of  their  deployment,  designed  to  check  the 
technical  and  commercial  viability  of  the project, from  being  carried  out  in  a  single  Member 
State, if it appears that the conditions prevailing  in this Member State are representative of those 
existing  in  the other Member  States  where  the project  should  ultimately  be implemented. " 

3.3 

Amendments  which  cannot  be  accepted 

These  are  amendments  2  (second  part),  5,  7 (second  part),  9,  12,  13,  14,  16 (second  part),  17, 
18,  19, 21, 27  (second  part),  29,  30,  31  (second  part),  32, 33  and  35  (first  part). 

The  second  part  of  amendment  2  indicating  the  nature  of  the  project  selection  criteria  is 
superfluous  since the  criteria  are  specified  in  Annex  2. 

Amendment  5 suggests  that  broadband  networks  will  not  be  available  until  the  distant  future; 
this  is incorrect,  even  though  they  are  still  far  from  generally  available. 

The  second  part  of  amendment  7.  amendments  17.  18  and  21  and  the  final  sentence  of 
amendment  16 amend  the  committee  procedure  proposed  and  deviate  from  the  modus  vivendi 
between  the  three  institutions.  The  Commission  proposes  to  keep  to  this  agreement.  A  new 
recital  18a  has therefore  been  added  reading: 

"Whereas  on  20  December  1994  the  European  Parliament,  the  Council  and  the  Commission 
reached  a modus  vivendi concerning  the implementing  measures for  acts adopted  in  accordance 
with  the  procedure  laid  down  in  Article  189b  of the EC  Treaty"; 

The  first  part  of  amendment  9  is  contrary  to  the  Community's  traditional  approach  to 
interoperability,  which  recommends voluntary  standards with  regulation  only  at  a later  stage if 
the voluntary  approach  proves to generate interoperability  problems at trans-European level. The 
final  part  makes the  scope  of this  recital  too  general. 

Amendment  12 calls  for  a number  of  comments: 

1.  The  setting  of  an  order  of  priority  within  the  list  of  priorities  is  unacceptable  in  view 
of  the  flexibility  which  must  be  maintained  in  order to  adapt  to the  situation  of  the  sector  and 
to  the  rapid  development  of  the  communications  system  when  preparing  the  annual  work 
programme. 

2.  The  amendments  at the  start  of paragraphs  (a)  and  (c)  require  systematic  assessment  of the 
social  consequences  before  any  deployment  of  generic  services  and  applications.  It  should  be 
noted  that  the  identification  criteria  (Annex  2)  include  the  direct  or  indirect  socio-economic 
effects  of  each  project.  It  does  not  seem  possible  to  go  beyond  this  and  assess  the  social  and 
societal  effects  of  each  project  (as far  as this would  make any  sense). It is more appropriate to 
monitor  the  more  general  impact  by  assessing  the  effect  of  a  series  of  applications  introduced 
over  a specified  period,  whatever the origin. Moreover,  the amendment  at the end  of  paragraph 

(c)  deals with  specific  applications,  which  belong  in Annex  1 and  not  in  an  article  concerning 
the  general  priorities. 

3.  As regards the new paragraph  (h), the conditions for  cooperation with third  countries are set 
out in Article  12. Such cooperation must be considered  an advantage for  some projects,  but not 
a  systematic  priority. 

As regards  amendment  13. the  comment  made  on the  second  part  of  amendment  1 applies. 

Amendment  14 mentions improvement of communication in the sphere of public administration. 
However,  this  is  not  a  general  measure  but  a  domain  for  action,  which,  logically,  belongs  in 
Annex  1. 

The  addition  before  the  final  sentence  of  amendment  16  calls  for  the  work  programme  to 
identify  specific measures according to social or regional  criteria to integrate individuals into all 
domains of the information  society.  This manifestly  imposes  an extremely  ambitious  objective, 
which  is not  the  purpose  of the work  programme. 

Amendment  19  defines  the  substance  of  the  support  and  coordination  activities  which,  more 
logically,  come under  point  4 in  Annex  1. 

The second part of amendment 27 is unrealistic. To harmonize conditions of employment  in the 
Community, measures other than any effects  of the use of trans-European telematics services for 
job  hunting  are  needed. 

Amendment  29  deleting the point  on  "Citizens' access to  services" is unacceptable;  this  domain 
is  of  great  social  importance. 

Amendment  30 adds applications  already  covered  by Annex  1, either under point  1 on  research 
networks  or under  point  2  on generic  services. 

The  second  part  of  amendment  31  adds unnecessary  details. 

Amendment  32  duplicates  amendment  22 which  applies to  all  generic  services. 

Amendment  33  adds unnecessary  details. 

The  first  part  of  amendment  35  introduces  oversubjective  selection  criteria  (exemplarity  and 
value  as an  incentive  and  a multiplier). 

4.  Conclusion 

The  Commission  recommends  that  Parliament  and  the  Council  approve  the  amended  proposal 
set  out  in  Annex  1. 

Amended  proposal  for a 

Annex  1 

EUROPEAN  PARLIAMENT  AND  COUNCIL  DECISION 

on  a series  of  guidelines  for  trans-European  telecommunications  networks 

Original  proposal 

Amended  proposal 

THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND 
THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN 
UNION, 

Unchanged. 

Having  regard  to the  Treaty  establishing  the 
European  Community,  and  in  particular  the 
first  paragraph  of  Article  129d  thereof, 

Having  regard  to  the  proposal  from  the 
Commission, 

Having 
Economic  and  Social  Committee, 

regard 

the  opinion  of 

to 

Having 
regard 
Committee  of the Regions, 

to 

the  opinion  of 

the 

the 

of 

and 

1.  Whereas  the  implementation  and  the 
t r a n s - E u r o p e an 
d e v e l o p m e nt 
telecommunications networks aim at ensuring 
the  circulation 
the  exchange  of 
information  across the Union; whereas this is 
the 
a  pre-condition 
establishment  of  the  "information  society", 
which  will  result  from  the  availability,  for 
each  citizen,  company  or  public  authority 
everywhere  in  the  Union,  of  any  kind  and 
quantity  of  information  they  need: 

to  make  possible 

the 

and 

the 
1.  Whereas  the  implementation  and 
t r a n s - E u r o p e an 
of 
d e v e l o p m e nt 
telecommunications networks aim at ensuring 
the  circulation 
exchange  of 
information  across the Union; whereas this is 
to  enable  citizens  and 
a  pre-condition 
industry  - especially  SMEs  - in the Union  to 
derive  full  benefit  from  the  potential  of 
telecommunications  so  as  to  make  possible 
the  establishment  of 
"information 
society", 
the  development  of 
applications, services and telecommunications 
networks  will  be  of  crucial  importance  with 
a  view  to  ensuring  the  availability,  for  each 
citizen, 
authority 
everywhere  in  the  Union,  including  the  less 
developed  or peripheral  regions,  of  any  kind 
and  quantity  of  information  they  need; 

or  public 

in  which 

company 

the 

Unchanged. 

Unchanged. 

Unchanged, 

Unchanged. 

the 

2.  Whereas,  in the White Paper  on  "Growth, 
Competitiveness  and  Employment", 
the 
importance  of 
Commission  stressed 
establishing  the  information  society,  which, 
by  introducing  new  forms  of  economic, 
political  and  social  relations,  will  help  the 
Union to face  the new challenges of the next 
century, 
of 
employment  creation;  whereas  this  has  been 
recognized by the Brussels European Council 
of  December  1993; 

challenge 

including 

the 

still 

to  be  adopted, 

3.  Whereas  the  internal  market  establishes 
an  area  without  borders,  within  which  the 
free  circulation  of goods, persons, capital and 
services has to be ensured, and where already 
adopted  Community  measures,  and  other 
measures 
imply 
significant  exchange  of information  between 
i n d i v i d u a l s, 
and 
administrations;  whereas  efficient  means  of 
exchanging  information  are  vital  for  the 
improvement  of  industrial  competitiveness; 
whereas  these  exchanges  of  information  can 
be 
t r a n s - E u r o p e an 
telecommunications  networks;  whereas  the 
availability  of  trans-European  networks  will 
strengthen  social  and  economic  cohesion  at 
Union  level; 

o r g a n i z a t i o ns 

a s s u r ed 

by 

of 

4.  Whereas  the  implementation  and  the 
d e v e l o p m e nt 
t r a n s - E u r o p e an 
telecommunications  networks  should  ensure 
that information  is freely  exchanged  between 
and 
i n d i v i d u a l s, 
administrations,  while  respecting the privacy 
rights  of  individuals  and  intellectual  and 
industrial  property  rights; 

o r g a n i z a t i o ns 

5.  Whereas,  in  June  1994,  in  their  report  on 
"Europe  and the global  information  society", 
the  members  of  a  group  of  prominent 
representatives  of  industry  recommended  to 
the  Council  to  implement  trans-European 
telecommunications  networks  and  to  secure 
their  interconnectivity  with  the  whole  of 
European  networks;  whereas  the  June  1994 
Corfu  European  Council  gave  its  general 
approval  to  this  recommendation; 

6.  Whereas 
the 
Commission to the Council and the European 

the  communication  of 

Unchanged. 

Parliament  "Europe's way to the  Information 
Society:  an  Action  Plan",  follows 
these 
recommendations; whereas the conclusions of 
the  Industry-Telecommunications  Council 
meeting on 28 September  1994 on this action 
rapid 
plan 
the 
information 
development 
infrastructures 
and 
the  basis  of  a  global, 
applications)  on 
is 
balanced 
coherent 
indispensable  to  Europe; 

the 
of 
(networks, 

fact 
efficient 

approach 

services 

stressed 

that 

and 

Unchanged, 

Unchanged, 

7.  Whereas  Article  129c  of  the  Treaty 
requires that the Community  shall  establish a 
series  of  guidelines  covering  the  objectives, 
priorities  and  broad  lines  of  measures  to  be 
implemented  in the sphere of trans-European 
networks;  whereas  these  guidelines  shall 
identify  projects  of  common  interest; 

availability 

8.  Whereas  the  information  society  cannot 
develop  without 
of 
the 
applications,  and  especially  applications  of 
collective  interest,  optimally  answering  user 
needs, taking into account, where appropriate, 
the  needs  of 
the  elderly  and  disabled; 
thus  form  an 
whereas  applications  will 
important  part  of  the  projects  of  common 
interest; 

telecommunications  networks, 

9. Whereas projects  of common  interest  can, 
in many cases, already be implemented in the 
present 
in 
order  to  offer  trans-European  applications; 
whereas  guidelines  have  to  be  drawn  up,  in 
order  to  identify  these  projects  of  common 
interest; 

telecommunications 

9. Whereas projects  of common  interest  can, 
in many cases, already be implemented  in the 
present 
networks, 
especially  the  Euro-ISDN,  in  order  to  offer 
trans-European 
applications;  whereas 
guidelines  have  to  be  drawn  up,  in  order  to 
identify  these  projects  of  common  interest; 

9a. 

9a.  Whereas  there  must  be  coordination 
between  the implementation  of the  proposals 
chosen  and  similar  initiatives  adopted  at 
national  or  regional  level  in  the  Union; 

in 

the 

selection 

10.  Whereas 
and 
implementation  of  such  projects  account 
should  be 
infrastructures 
offered  by telecommunications  organizations 
as  well  as  alternative  infrastructures  offered 
by  other  provi ders; 

taken  of  both 

in 

the 

10.  Whereas 
and 
implementation  of  such  projects  account 
should  be taken  of  all infrastructures  offered 
by  incumbent  and  new  providers; 

selection 

Whereas 

11. 
the  Commission  has 
transmitted  to  the  Council  a  series  of 
guidelines  concerning  the  development  of 
Integrated  Services  Digital  Network  (ISDN) 
as  a  trans-European  network;  whereas  the 
Council  has  reached  a  common  position  on 
this  proposal; 

12.  Whereas  the  present  networks,  which 
include  existing  ISDN,  are evolving  towards 
advanced  networks  offering  a  variable  data 
flow  rate  up 
to  broadband  capabilities, 
adaptable  to  different  needs,  in  particular  to 
the  offer  of  multimedia 
services  and 
applications;  whereas  the  implementation  of 
integrated  broadband  communication  (IBC) 
this 
networks  will  be 
evolution;  whereas  IBC  will  constitute  the 
optimal platform  on which applications of the 
Information  Society  can  be  built; 

the  outcome  of 

13.  Whereas  the  results  of  the  specific 
research  and 
technological  development 
programme  in  the  field  of  communication 
technologies  (RACE)  have  prepared 
the 
ground  and  the  technology  base  for  the 
introduction  of  IBC  networks  in Europe; 

14.  Whereas  the  results  of  the  specific 
technological  development 
research  and 
technologies 
programme  on 
(Esprit)  have  prepared  the  ground  and  the 
technological  base  for  the  introduction  of 
applications  of  information  technologies; 

information 

in 

the 

field  of 

15.  Whereas  the  results  of  the  specific 
technological  development 
research  and 
telematics 
programmes 
systems  of  general  interest  (1991  to  1994) 
and 
telematics  applications  of  common 
interest  (1994  to  1998)  prepare  the  ground 
interoperable 
for 
applications  of  common 
interest  across 
Europe; 

introduction 

the 

of 

Unchanged. 

Unchanged. 

Unchanged. 

Unchanged. 

Unchanged. 

10 

16.  Whereas  effective  coordination  needs  to 
be ensured between the different  Community 
programmes, and in particular as appropriate, 
with  programmes  in  favour  of  SMEs  and 
with 
oriented 
programmes  (such  as  INFO  2000.  Media  2) 
and  other  information  society  activities: 

information 

content 

trans-European 

16.  Whereas effective  coordination  needs to 
be  ensured  between  the  implementation  of 
telecommunications 
the 
networks,  which  must  address  real-world 
concerns,  excluding  experimental  projects, 
and  the  different  Community  programmes, 
particularly  the  specific  programmes  of  the 
fourth  framework  programme  for  research, 
t e c h n o l o g i c al 
and 
demonstration,  the  programmes  in  favour  of 
SMEs and with  information  content  oriented 
programmes  (such  as  INFO  2000,  Media  2) 
and  other  information  society  activities; 

d e v e l o p m e nt 

Unchanged. 

(TEN-IBC)", 

17.  Whereas  in  its  communication  on 
"Preparatory  actions  in  the  field  of  Trans-
European  Networks-Integrated  Broadband 
Communications 
the 
Commission  identified  the  need  to  carry  out 
preparatory  actions  with  the  sector  actors  to 
draw  up  appropriate  guidelines;  whereas  the 
results of these actions form  the basis for  the 
guidelines  related  to  IBC  networks  in  this 
Decision; 

these 

taking  this 

initiative;  whereas 

18. Whereas the telecommunications sector is 
being  progressively  liberalized;  whereas  the 
development  of  trans-European  applications, 
services  and  networks  relies  mainly  on 
private 
trans-
European  developments  must  respond  to 
market  needs;  whereas, 
into 
account,  the  interested  sector  actors  will  be 
requested  to  propose,  through  appropriate 
them  equal  chances, 
procedures  giving 
specific  projects  of  common 
in 
chosen  domains;  whereas  these  procedures 
have  to  be  defined  and  a  list  of  the  chosen 
domains  has  to  be  adopted;  whereas  a 
Committee  shall  assist  the  Commission  for 
the  identification  of  the  specific  projects  of 
common  interest; 

interest 

these 

initiative;  whereas 

18. Whereas the telecommunications sector is 
being  progressively  liberalized;  whereas  the 
development  of trans-European  applications, 
services  and  networks  relies  mainly  on 
private 
trans-
European  developments  must  respond  on  a 
Community  scale  to  market  needs  or  to 
actual  and  sizeable  needs  of  society  which 
are  not  covered  by  mere  market  forces: 
the 
whereas, 
interested  sector  actors  will  be  requested  to 
propose, 
through  appropriate  procedures 
giving  them  equal  chances,  specific  projects 
of  common 
interest  in  chosen  domains; 
whereas these procedures  have to be  defined 
and  a  list  of  the  chosen  domains  has  to  be 
adopted;  whereas  a  Committee  shall  assist 
the  Commission  for  the  identification  of  the 
specific  projects  of  common  interest; 

into  account, 

taking 

this 

18a. 

18a.  Whereas  on  20  December  1994  the 
European  Parliament,  the  Council  and  the 
Commission 
reached  a  modus  vivendi 
concerning  the  implementing  measures  for 
acts  adopted 
the 
procedure  laid  down  in  Article  189b  of  the 
EC  Treaty: 

in  accordance  with 

11 

interest 

the  Community 

to  be  considered 

identified  within 
in 

19.  Whereas 
financial 
support  to the  implementation  of  projects  of 
this 
common 
Decision  has 
the 
framework  of  the  Regulation  laying  down 
general  principles 
the  granting  of 
for 
Community financial aid in the field of trans-
European  networks;  whereas  following  this 
Regulation,  the  concerned  Member  States 
shall  give  a  certain  degree  of  support  to  the 
projects  of  common  interest; 

interest 

the  Community 

to  be  considered 

identified  within 
in 

19.  Whereas 
financial 
support  to the implementation  of  projects  of 
this 
common 
Decision  has 
the 
framework  of  the  Regulation  laying  down 
general  principles 
the  granting  of 
for 
Community financial  aid in the field of trans-
European networks (Council Regulation (EC) 
No 2236/95 of  18 September  1995): whereas, 
nevertheless,  use  should  also  be  made,  on  a 
synergetic  basis  and 
their 
specific  rules,  of  the  Community  financial 
instruments which can favour  implementation 
of  the  lines  of  action  in  the  sphere  of  trans-
European telecommunications networks, with 
a  view  to  deriving  maximum  benefit  from 
coordination  of  the  different  sources  of 
funding: 
the 
abovementioned  Regulation,  the  concerned 
Member  States shall  give a certain  degree of 
support  to the  projects  of  common  interest; 

following 

line  with 

whereas 

in 

20. Whereas the Commission  shall undertake 
actions 
to  assure  interoperability  of  the 
networks,  and  to  coordinate  the  activities  of 
aiming 
the  Member 
the 
trans-European 
implementation 
telecommunications  networks; 

States 
of 

at 

21.  Whereas it is important,  for  the optimum 
development  of  the  Information  Society,  to 
assure  an  efficient  exchange  of  information 
between 
third 
the  Community  and 
countries, in particular the States members of 
the  European  Economic  Area;  whereas  it  is 
to  promote  networks, 
thus  necessary 
interconnection 
at 
interoperability 
and 
European  scale; 

the 

22.  Whereas,  however,  activities  undertaken 
in the  context  of these  guidelines  are  subject 
to  the  full  application  of  the  competition 
rules  set  out  in  the Treaty  and  implementing 
legislation, 

Unchanged. 

Unchanged. 

Unchanged. 

12 

HAVE  ADOPTED  THIS  DECISION: 

Article  1 

This Decision establishes guidelines covering 
objectives,  priorities  and  broad 
lines  of 
measures  in  the  field  of  trans-European 
telecommunications 
These 
guidelines set out the domains for projects of 
common  interest,  and  a  procedure  for  the 
identification  of  specific  projects  of common 
interest  in  these  domains. 

networks. 

This Decision establishes guidelines covering 
objectives,  priorities  and  broad 
lines  of 
trans-European 
measures  in  the  field  of 
networks  in  the  area  of  telecommunications 
infrastructure.  These  guidelines  set  out  the 
domains for projects of common interest, and 
a  procedure  for  the  identification  of  specific 
projects  of  common 
these 
domains. 

interest 

in 

Article  2 

of 

the 
support 
The  Community  will 
interconnection 
telecommunications 
networks,  in  particular  integrated  broadband 
communication  (IBC)  networks,  the  setting-
interoperable 
up  and 
services  and  applications  and 
required 
infrastructure  as  well  as  the  access  to  them, 
with  the  general  objectives  of: 

the  deployment  of 

support 

the 
The  Community  will 
interconnection  of the networks in the area of 
telecommunications 
the 
establishment  and 
the  development  of 
interoperable  services  and  applications  as 
well  as the  access  to  them,  with  the  general 
objectives  of: 

infrastructure, 

the  transition 

towards  the 
facilitating 
information 
to 
promote  the  satisfaction  of  social  needs 
and  to  improve  the  quality  of  life, 

in  particular 

society, 

the 

towards 

transition 

facilitating 
the 
information  society  as  well  as  providing 
the 
the 
experience 
deployment 
and 
new 
applications  on  social  activities  and  to 
promote  the  satisfaction  of  social  needs 
and  to  improve  the  quality  of  life. 

of 
networks 

on 
of 

effects 

improving  competitiveness  of  European 
industry  and  strengthening  the  internal 
market, 

improving  competitiveness  of  European 
industry  and  strengthening  the  internal 
market, 

strengthening 
cohesion, 

economic 

and 

social 

strengthening 
cohesion, 

economic 

and 

social 

accelerating  the  development  of  new 
growth  area  activities  leading  to  job 
creation. 

accelerating 
growth  area  activities 
creation. 

the  development  of  new 
to  job 

leading 

The  priorities  for  the  realization  of  the 
objectives  mentioned  in  Article  2 will  be: 

Unchanged. 

Article  3 

13 

by 

the 
deployment 

feasibility, 
The  confirmation  of 
followed 
of 
the 
applications  supporting  the  development 
of  a  Community  Information  Society,  in 
particular 
collective 
applications  of 
interest. 

by 

the 
deployment 

feasibility, 
The  confirmation  of 
followed 
of 
the 
applications contributing to economic and 
social  cohesion,  by  improving  access  to 
information  across 
the  whole  Union 
building  on  the  Community's  cultural 
diversity. 

Actions  aiming  at  the  stimulation  of 
interregional  initiatives,  associating  less 
launch  of 
favoured 
Community 
and 
applications. 

regions  for 
telecom 

the 
services 

by 

the 

deployment 

feasibility, 
The  confirmation  of 
followed 
of 
the 
applications  and  services  contributing  to 
the  strengthening  of  the  internal  market 
and  job  creation, 
those 
offering  to  SMEs means to improve their 
competitiveness  in  the  European  Union 
and  at  world  level. 

in  particular 

The identification, the confirmation  of the 
feasibility,  followed by the deployment of 
trans-European generic servi ces providing 
a  seamless  access 
to  all  kinds  of 
rural  and 
information, 
peripheral  areas,  and  interoperable  with 
equivalent  services  at  world  level. 

including 

in 

The confirmation  of the feasibility  of new 
fibre  optic  backbone 
high-bandwidth 
such 
networks,  where 
the 
and 
applications 
promotion  of  such  networks. 

required 
services,  and 

for 

links 

The  identification  and  removal  of  gaps 
and  missing 
for  an  effective 
interconnection  and interoperability  in all 
their  components  of  telecommunications 
networks in the Community  and at world 
level,  with  a particular  emphasis  on  IBC 
networks. 

14 

Article  4 

lines  of  measures 

The  broad 
implemented  for  reaching 
defined  in  Article  2 will  cover: 

to  be 
the  objectives 

Unchanged, 

Identification  of  projects  of  common 
interest. 

aiming 

increasing 

the 
at 
Actions 
awareness  of  citizens,  economic  actors 
and  administrations  on  the  benefits  they 
can  draw  from  the  new  advanced  trans-
European 
telecommunications  services 
and  applications. 

-  Actions  aiming  at  the  stimulation  of 
combined  initiatives  from  the  users  and 
the providers for the launch of projects in 
t r a n s - E u r o p e an 
field 
the 
telecommunications 
in 
networks, 
particular  IBC  networks. 

of 

the 

feasibility, 

Support,  in  the  framework  of  the  means 
defined  by the Treaty, to the  confirmation 
of 
the 
deployment  of  applications,  in  particular 
applications  of  collective  interest,  and 
encouragement  for  the  establishment  of 
public-private  partnerships. 

followed  by 

Stimulation  of  the  offer  and  the  use  of 
services  and  applications  for  SMEs  and 
professional  users,  which  constitute  a 
source  of  employment  and  growth. 

the 

Promotion  of  the  interconnectivity  of 
interoperability  of 
networks,  of 
broadband  services  and  applications  and 
of  the  infrastructure 
they  require,  in 
particular  for  multimedia,  and  of  the 
interoperability  between  existing  and 
broadband  services  and  applications. 

15 

Article  5 

of 

development 

trans-European 
The 
telecommunications  networks  is made  under 
this  Decision  by 
the  implementation  of 
projects  of  common  interest.  The  domains 
within  which  projects  of  common  interest 
shall  be  identified  are  listed  in  Annex  1. 

of 

the 

area 

The development of trans-European  networks 
in 
telecommunications 
infrastructure  is made under this Decision by 
the  implementation  of  projects  of  common 
interest.  The domains within  which  projects 
of  common  interest  shall  be  identified  are 
listed  in  Annex  1. 

Article  6 

Unchanged. 

The  following  Articles  7  to  9  describe  the 
procedure  for  identifying  specific  projects  of 
common  interest  in the domains  indicated  in 
Annex  1,  using  the  identification  criteria 
listed in Annex 2.  The identified  projects are 
eligible 
in 
compliance  with 
the  Council  Regulation 
laying down general  rules for  the granting of 
Community financial  aid in the field of trans-
European  networks. 

for  Community 

support 

Article  7 

policies, 

1.  A work programme  shall be drawn up by 
the Commission, in conformity  with the other 
trans-European 
in 
network 
consultation  with  sector  actors,  for  selecting 
the  areas  in  which  specific  projects  of 
common  interest  can be proposed, within  the 
domains  of  projects  of  common  interest  set 
out  in  Annex  1.  The work  programme  shall 
be updated  as  necessary. 

the  other 

1. 
A  draft  work  programme  shall  be 
prepared  by  the  Commission,  in  conformity 
with 
trans-European  network 
policies,  in  consultation  with  sector  actors, 
for  selecting  the  areas  in  which  specific 
projects of common interest can be proposed, 
within  the  domains  of  projects  of  common 
interest  set  out  in  Annex  1.  The  work 
programme  shall  be updated  as  necessary. 

2.  The  work  programme  shall  be  the  basis 
for  the  establishment  of  calls  for  proposals 
for  projects  of  common  interest  by  the 
Commission. 

Unchanged. 

Article  8 

1.  The  Commission  shall  be  responsible  for 
the  implementation  of the procedure  defined 
in  Articles  7 to  9. 

Unchanged. 

2.  For  the  cases  specified  in  Article  9(1), 
the  Commission  shall  be  assisted  by  a 
committee composed of representatives of the 
Member  States 
the 
and 
representative  of  the  Commission. 

chaired  by 

16 

The  Commission  representative  shall  submit 
to  the  committee  a  draft  of  the  measures  to 
be  taken.  The  committee  shall  deliver  its 
opinion  on  the  draft  within  a  time  limit 
which the chairman  may lay down  according 
to  the  urgency  of  the  matter.  The  opinion 
shall  be  delivered  by  the  majority  provided 
for in Article  148(2) of the Treaty in the case 
of decisions which the Council  is required to 
adopt  on  a  proposal  from  the  Commission. 
The 
States' 
representatives within the committee shall be 
weighted  in  the  manner  set  out  in  that 
Article.  The  Chairman  shall  not vote. 

the  Member 

votes 

of 

The  Commission  shall  adopt  the  measures 
envisaged  where they  are in accordance with 
the  opinion  of  the  Committee. 

in 
the  measures  envisaged  are  not 
If 
accordance with  the Committee's  opinion,  or 
if  no  opinion  is  delivered,  the  Commission 
shall  without  delay  submit  to  the  Council  a 
proposal  relating to the measures to be taken. 
The  Council  shall  act by  qualified  majority. 

If  on  expiry  of  a  period  of  one  month  from 
referral  of  the  matter  to  the  Council,  the 
latter  has  not  acted,  the  proposed  measure 
shall  be  adopted  by  the  Commission. 

Article  9 

1. The procedure laid down in Article 8 shall 
apply  to: 

Unchanged, 

the preparation  and updating  of the work 
programme  referred  to  in  Article  7, 

the  identification  of  projects  of  common 
interest  as a result of  a call for proposals, 

- 

- 

the  definition  of  complementary  support 
and  coordination  actions, 

the  measures  to  be  taken  to  evaluate  the 
implementation  of the work programme. 

2.  For  the  particular  case  of  the  domain  of 
projects  of  common  interest related  to ISDN 

2. 
For the particular case of the domain 
of  projects  of  common  interest  related  to 

17 

(referenced  in  Annex  1,  point  3,  paragraph 
1), 
those 
adopted  by  the  Council. 

the  applicable  guidelines  are 

Euro-ISDN  (referenced  in Annex  1, point 3, 
paragraph  1),  the  applicable  guidelines  are 
those  adopted  by  the  European  Parliament 
and  the  Council. 

the 
3.  The  Commission 
committee,  at  each  of  its  meetings,  of  the 
progress 
programme 
the  work 
implementation. 

inform 

shall 

of 

Unchanged, 

Article  10 

Unchanged. 

take  all  measures 
Member  States  shall 
required at national, regional  or local level to 
facilitate  and  accelerate  the  implementation 
of  the  projects  of  common  interest,  in  the 
respect 
The 
authorization  procedures  which  may  be 
necessary  shall  be  achieved  in  the  shortest 
delays. 

of  Community 

rules. 

Article  11 

This  Decision 
shall  not  prejudice  any 
financial  commitment  by  a Member  State or 
the  Community. 

Unchanged, 

Article  12 

Unchanged. 

to 

concluded 

third  countries, 

in 
The  participation  of 
particular 
the 
those  being  parties 
Agreement  on the European  Economic Area, 
or  having 
an  Association 
Agreement  with  the  Community,  can  be 
authorized  by  the  Council  on  a  case-by-case 
basis,  following  the  procedure  laid  down  in 
Article  228  of  the  Treaty,  in  order  to  allow 
their  contribution  to  the  implementation  of 
projects  of  common  interest,  and to  promote 
the interconnection and the interoperability of 
the  telecommunications  networks. 

Article  13 

Unchanged, 

The  Commission  shall  present  every  two 
years  a report  on  the  implementation  of  this 
Decision  to  the  European  Parliament,  the 
Council, the Economic and Social Committee 
and  the  Committee  of the Regions. 

The report  shall  contain  an  evaluation  of the 
results  achieved  with  Community  support  in 
different  project  fields,  in  relation  to  the 
overall  objectives. 

Article  14 

This  Decision  shall  enter  into  force  on  the 
seventh  day  following  its  publication  in  the 
Official 
the  European 
Communities. 

Journal 

of 

Unchanged, 

Article  15 

This  Decision  is  addressed  to  the  Member 
States. 

Unchanged. 

Done  at  Brussels, 

For  the European  Parliament 

For  the  Council 

The  President 

The  President 

19 

ANNEX  1: DOMAINS  FOR  PROJECTS  OF  COMMON  INTEREST 

trans-European 

telecommunications 
The 
networks  will  open  the  European  market  to 
the  new  applications  and  services  which  are 
the  ground  upon  which  the 
information 
society  should develop.  They are essential to 
realize  the  objectives  of  safeguarding  and 
promoting  Europe's  future  prosperity  and 
creating  new  jobs,  as  well  as  enhancing 
economic  and  social  cohesion. 

A  three-layer  model  has  generally  been 
accepted  as the  most  appropriate  framework 
for 
t r a n s - E u r o p e an 
telecommunications  networks.  These  layers 
are: 

d e s c r i b i ng 

Unchanged. 

Unchanged. 

The  applications  layer,  through  which 
users  interact  with  generic  services  and 
their 
basic  networks 
social 
professional, 
needs. 
to  be 
interoperable between themselves to bring 
the  maximum  benefit  to the  users  across 
the  Community. 

for  meeting 
and 
require 

Applications 

educational 

The  generic  services  layer,  made  of 
compatible  generic  services  and  their 
management.  Through  support  of  the 
applications  common  requirements,  these 
the  applications 
services  complement 
whilst  aiding  their  interoperability. 

The  basic  networks  layer,  that  provides 
and 
transport 
access, 
the  physical 
the  networks, 
switching  elements  of 
including 
and 
signalling.  These elements  are providing 
t he 
n e t w o rk 
interconnectivity. 

their  management 

t r a n s - E u r o p e an 

form 

three 

layers 

a  consistent 
These 
structure, where applications are supported by 
the  two  lower  layers:  generic  services  and 
In  particular,  applications 
basic  networks. 
cannot  be  offered  in  the  absence  of  one  of 
the  other  two  layers;  however,  each  layer 
should be  sufficiently  open  as to support any 

The  applications  layer,  through  which 
users  interact  with  generic  services  and 
their 
basic 
professional,  educational  and  social  needs. 

for  meeting 

networks 

layer,  made  of 
The  generic  services 
their 
compatible  generic  services  and 
management.  Through  support  of 
the 
applications  common  requirements  and by 
promoting  common  non-proprietary  tools 
for  development  and  implementation  of 
new 
services 
complement  the  applications  whilst  aiding 
their  interoperability. 

applications. 

these 

Unchanged. 

Unchanged. 

20 

element  of  the  layer  immediately  above.  In 
this  context,  projects  of  common  interest 
should  be  identified  on  the  basis  of  their 
operational 
the 
capability 
objectives  set  forth  in this  Decision. 

support 

to 

Unchanged. 

Unchanged. 

financial 

This  Decision  aims  at  identifying  a list  of 
projects  of  common  interest,  from  which 
projects  which  will  benefit 
the 
from 
support  under 
Community 
Article  129c(l),  third  indent,  of  the  EC 
Treaty,  will  be selected.  This  selection  is 
made  within 
the 
general 
"Regulation 
principles  for  the granting  of  Community 
financial  aid in the field of trans-European 
networks". 

framework  of 
down 

the 
laying 

to 

recourse 

The 
the  other  sources  of 
Community  financing  remains  open,  within 
the financing rules governing each instrument 
for  all  the  projects  of  common 
interest 
identified.  Community  financial  support  is 
in  accordance  with  competition 
granted 
policy  rules,  notably  those  dealing  with  the 
financial  support  of  R&D  and  State aids. 

The following  sections define  the domains in 
which  projects  of  common  interest  will  be 
identified. 

Unchanged. 

1.  Applications 

1. 

Applications 

take  account,  where 
Applications  must 
necessary,  of  local  linguistic  constraints  and 
be interoperable between themselves to bring 
the maximum  benefit  to the users  across  the 
Community.  They  must  address  the  widest 
possible  populations  of  users  and  facilitate 
users' access to services of collective interest. 

The  domains  in  which  applications  projects 
will  be  identified  are the  following: 

Unchanged. 

The  domains  in  which  applications  projects 
will  be  identified  are the  following: 

An  advanced 

A  network  for  universities  and  research 
centres: 
trans-European 
network,  carrying  multimedia  applications, 
should  be  established,  linking  universities 
and  research  centres  across  Europe,  with 
open  access to their  libraries. 

21 

Distance education and training. Advanced 
distance  education  and 
training  services 
should  be  made  accessible  for  all  citizens, 
schools,  colleges  and  businesses.  Centres 
should  be  set  up  and  made 
remotely 
accessible  across Europe  in  order  to  provide 
courseware  and  training  services  for  SMEs, 
large  companies,  education  systems,  and 
public  administrations.  New  approaches  to 
information 
professional 
society  should  be  developed  and  promoted. 

training  for 

the 

Distance education and training: Advanced 
distance  education  and 
training  services 
should  be  made  accessible  for  all  citizens, 
schools,  colleges  and  businesses.  Centres 
should  be  set  up  and  made 
remotely 
accessible  across Europe  in  order  to  provide 
courseware  and  training  services  for  SMEs, 
large  companies,  education  systems,  and 
public  administrations.  New  approaches  to 
general, academic, professional  and linguistic 
training  should  be  developed  and  promoted 
as  part  of 
the 
information  society. 

transition 

towards 

the 

Health telematics: Trans-European networks 
and applications based  on common  standards 
should  be  deployed,  which  would  link  on  a 
European  scale  all  the  partners  of the  health 
system,  in  particular  general  practitioners, 
hospitals  and  social  centres. 

Unchanged. 

of 

t a k en 

transport 

industries  and 

t r a n s - E u r o p e an 
to 

Transport telematics: Full advantage should 
be 
improve 
telecommunications  networks 
transport network  management  and  logistical 
support  for 
the 
development 
services. 
Telematic  systems  and  services,  wherever 
applicable,  should  also  serve  as  a  tool  for 
implementing  common  transport  policy;  the 
and 
necessary 
interoperability 
trans-European 
transport  network  will  be  ensured. 

complementarity  with 
the 

value-added 

of 

of 

of 

of 

t a k en 

transport 

value-added 

industries  and 

t r a n s - E u r o p e an 
to 

Transport telematics: Full advantage should 
be 
improve 
telecommunications  networks 
transport network  management  and  logistical 
support  for 
the 
development 
services. 
non-
Integrated  multimodal 
motorized personal transport, public transport 
and  environment-friendly  modes  shall  be 
treated  as  a  priority.  Telematic  systems  and 
services,  wherever  applicable,  should  also 
serve  as  a  tool  for  implementing  Common 
Transport 
necessary 
complementarity  with  and interoperability  of 
the  trans-European  Transport  Network  will 
be  ensured. 

transport, 

Policy; 

the 

f or 

T e l e m a t i cs 
e n v i r o n m e n t: 
Trans-European  networks  can  bring  an 
important  contribution to the monitoring and 
environment, 
the  management  of 
including  emergency  management. 

the 

Unchanged. 

The 

development 

Teleworking: 
of 
teleworking  (in  homes  and  satellite  offices) 
supported  by 
communication 
advanced 
systems  will  help  provide  new  forms  of 
flexibility  in  terms  of  the  place  of work  and 
the  way  work  is  organized.  Through  the 
decentralization  of  professional  activities, 
the 
teleworking  can  also  help 

reduce 

22 

in 

The 

satellite 

development 
offices 

Teleworking. 
of 
and 
teleworking 
conceivably  in homes supported by  advanced 
communication  systems  will  help  provide 
new forms  of flexibility  in terms of the place 
of  work  and  the  way  work  is  organized. 
Through  the  decentralization  of  professional 
activities,  teleworking  can  also  help  reduce 

environmental 
commuting  to  population  centres. 

consequences 

of 

daily 

to 

population 

the  environmental  consequences  of  daily 
commuting 
centres. 
Applications  should  be  set  up  to  allow  for 
such  developments  while  ensuring 
the 
preservation of workers' rights and preventing 
the  risks  of  social  isolation  that  could  be 
involved  with  teleworking.  Special  attention 
should be paid to the evaluation  of the  social 
consequences  of  these  applications. 

links 

Telematic  services  for  SMEs:  Projects  of 
common  interest  will  support  the  use  of 
telecommunications 
trans-European 
applications and services by European SMEs, 
with 
trade 
associations,  consumers,  customers  and 
suppliers  and  including  information  services 
and  electronic  commerce.  The awareness  of 
telematics-based  solutions  in  general  should 
be  raised  among  SMEs. 

to  public  authorities, 

for  Public 
Trans-European  Network 
Administration: 
Interconnected  networks 
between  public  administration  networks  in 
Europe  should  be  established,  aiming  at 
interchange  of  data  between 
facilitating 
administrations, 
particular  when 
in 
implementing  European  Union  regulations 
providing  an  effective  and  less  expensive 
information  interchange.  This interconnected 
network  should  be  further  extended  to  link 
public administrations and European citizens. 

tendering:  A 

Electronic 
trans-European 
Electronic  Tendering  Network  should  be  set 
up, based  on electronic procedures for  public 
procurement  between  public  administrations 
and  suppliers  in  Europe. 

City  information  highways:  Networks  and 
services  should  be  promoted  interconnecting 
households,  businesses,  social  organizations 
and  administrations  and  providing  access  to 
on-line  multimedia  information,  education, 
cultural,  entertainment  and  tourism  services 
on  a  local,  regional,  national  and  European 
basis.  Links  between  city  and  regional 
networks  should  be  promoted. 

Unchanged. 

Unchanged. 

Unchanged. 

Unchanged. 

23 

Unchanged. 

Library  services:  Trans-European  advanced 
networked library services involving all types 
libraries  (national,  university/research, 
of 
public,  etc.)  should  be  deployed  to  provide 
effective  access  to  both  the  reservoir  of 
organized  knowledge  and the cultural  wealth 
held  in libraries  across Europe,  in  support of 
the economic, social, educational  and cultural 
life  of the  EU 

Telematic  services  for  the  job  market: 
Networked  services,  such  as job  information 
databases, should be developed to support the 
changing  labour  market  in  Europe  and  to 
help  tackle  unemployment. 

Telematic  services  for  the  job  market: 
Networked  services,  such  as job  information 
databases, should be developed to support the 
changing  labour  market  in  the  Community, 
publicize  EU-wide  job  opportunities  and 
encourage  workforce  mobility. 

Cultural and linguistic heritage:  Initiatives 
should  be launched  to foster  the preservation 
of  and  access  to  the  European  cultural 
heritage,  and  to  demonstrate  the  potential  of 
the  information  infrastructure  to  support  the 
local 
development  of 
languages. 

local  content 

in 

Citizens'  access  to  services:  Applications 
demonstrating  citizens'  access  to  services  of 
collective 
set  up. 
Examples might include the establishment  of 
kiosks  and  access points  in  public  areas, and 
the use of smart  cards and  electronic wallets. 

should  be 

interest 

2.  Generic  services 

The  domains  in  which  projects  of  common 
interest  for  generic  services networks will  be 
identified  are  the  following: 

Cultural and linguistic heritage:  Initiatives 
should be launched to foster  the  preservation 
of  and  access  to  the  European  cultural 
heritage  (including  support  for  museum  and 
cultural  site  multi-media  networks)  and 
creation,  and  to  demonstrate  the  potential  of 
the  information  infrastructure  to  stimulate 
and 
and 
achievements  as  well  as  to  encourage  1 ocal 
content  and  its  dissemination. 

endeavours 

enhance 

creative 

Unchanged. 

24 

Implementation  of  operational 
trans-
European  generic  services:  They  should 
include  in  particular  electronic  mail,  file 
transfer  systems,  on-line  access to  electronic 
data  bases,  and  video  services.  As  there  is 
an  urgent  need  for  these  trans-European 
generic  services,  they  will  use  existing  or 
emerging networks, fixed or mobile, and user 
access.  They should include sen/ice elements 
scale,  European 
operating  at  European 
rate  compensation, 
directories,  exchange 
authentication, 
and 
data 
information  security,  trans-European  "kiosk" 
and  network  navigational  aids,  etc. 

protection 

Unchanged. 

Unchanged. 

Implementation  of  operational 
trans-
European  generic  services:  They  should 
include  in  particular  electronic  mail,  file 
transfer  systems,  on-line  access  to  electronic 
data  bases,  and  video  services.  As  there  is 
an  urgent  need  for  these  trans-European 
generic  services, 
they  will  use  existing 
switched  basic  networks  and  user  access. 
service  elements 
They 
include 
scale,  European 
operating  at  European 
rate  compensation, 
directories,  exchange 
authentication, 
and 
data 
information  security,  trans-European  "kiosk" 
and  network  navigational  aids,  etc. 

protection 

should 

Progressive  extension  of 
the  generic 
services toward a multimedia environment: 
These  services  will  offer  end-users  access to 
multimedia  services,  and  might  cover,  but 
should  not  be  limited  to,  multimedia  mail, 
high  speed  file  transfer  and  video  services, 
including  video-on-demand.  Use  of  these 
multimedia 
and 
residential  users  should  be  encouraged,  as 
integration  of  new  service 
well  as  the 
elements  such  as  automatic 
translation, 
speech  recognition,  graphical  user  interfaces. 

services  by  business 

Introduction  of  non-proprietary  digital 
signature  as  a  basis  for  open  service 
provision  and  mobility  of  use:  Generic 
services  will  rely  on  a  large  number  of 
complementary 
services 
providers.  Open  service  provision  and 
mobility  of  use  will  be  of  key  importance 
and 
(digital 
signatures)  to  be  generally  available  and 
supported. 

electronic  names 

and  competing 

require 

3.  Basic  networks 

Unchanged. 

The  domains  in  which  projects  of  common 
interest  for  basic  networks  will  be  identified 
are the  following: 

Euro-Integrated Services Digital Networks: 
For  reasons  of  immediate  commercial  and 
technical  transEuropean  availability,  ISDN is 
today  the  most  appropriate  and  efficient 
that  can 
digital  switched  basic  network 
Its 
support  new  services  and  applications. 

Unchanged. 

25 

be 

justified 

present development  makes it an opportunity 
for  Europe,  and  its  market  and  geographical 
the 
extension  will 
implementation  of  these  new  services  and 
applications 
scale. 
However,  it  should  be  borne  in  mind  that 
ISDN is only  a first step, and that it is going 
to  evolve  toward  becoming  merely  a  user 
access  to broadband  basic  services. 

pan-European 

by 

at 

Unchanged. 

Unchanged. 

Commercial 
introduction  of  managed 
Asynchronous Transport Mode (ATM) and 
other  broadband  networks:  This  domain 
must  be  considered  as  being  of  utmost 
common  European  interest. 

networks: 

Interoperation  of  existing  and  broadband 
communication 
Existing 
networks  (for  fixed,  mobile  and  satellite 
interconnected  and 
services)  should  be 
interoperate  between  themselves  and  with 
ATM-based  high  speed networks, in order to 
offer the most appropriate economic solutions 
to  the  various  situations  which  will  occur 
during  the  setting  up  of  the  information 
society.  This  issue  is  at  the  core  of  the 
development  of  the  Integrated  Broadband 
Communications  network,  and is particularly 
relevant  for  SMEs,  as  well  as  for 
the 
professional  and  residential  markets. 

4.  Support  and  coordination  actions 

Unchanged. 

and 

In  addition  to  its  support  to  projects  of 
common  interest,  the  Community  should 
initiate  actions  aiming  at  providing 
the 
appropriate 
They  will 
environment. 
contribute  to  consensus  development  and 
concertation  of  national 
regional 
activities  for  stimulation  and  promotion  of 
new  applications  and  services  in  conformity 
with  the  implementation  of  programmes  in 
other  areas,  as  well  as  the  development  of 
broadband basic networks.  They will involve 
concertation  with  European  standardization 
and  strategic  planning  bodies,  coordination 
the  different 
with  actions 
funded  by 
Community  financial 
This 
includes: 

instruments. 

26 

Unchanged. 

Unchanged. 

Unchanged. 

Development  of  target  specifications,  and 
transition  towards  these  targets.  These 
specifications  will  support  sector  actors  to 
make  sound  economic  investment  decisions. 
This  will  be  done  in  consultation  with  all 
sector  actors,  including  telecommunication 
emerging 
operators, 
operators, 
trade 
associations  and  consumer  associations  for: 

cable 
service 

providers, 

operators, 

identifying  the  missing  elements  and  the 
bottlenecks 
trans-European 
the 
in 
telecommunications  networks, 

the 

target 

networks 
developing 
specifications  for  the  three 
identified 
network  layers.  This includes terrestrial, 
satellite,  mobile,  as well  as  management 
and  operation  on  a  European  scale. 
Sector actors will build on the RACE and 
Telematics 
common 
Programme 
functional  specifications,  the  Eurescom 
work and other technical bodies set up by 
results  of 
and 
sector 
broadband  trials underway  as well  as the 
results  of the Esprit  and  IT  programmes, 

actors, 

the 

developing the network towards the target 
networks,  and 

Unchanged, 

encouraging  the  development  of  open, 
interoperable  and  user  friendly  systems. 

Unchanged, 

Definition  of  means  to  access  broadband 
networks,  at the three  specified  layers. 

Definition  of  means 
networks. 

to  access 

IBC 

Establishment  of  common  specifications, 
based  on  European  and  world  standards. 

Unchanged. 

Furthering  the  cooperation  among  sector 
the  emerging  and 
actors, 
cable 
as 
fragmented 
television  networks,  as well  as with  users. 

in  particular 

operators, 

such 

Unchanged. 

and 

coordination  with 
Cooperation 
Community,  European  and  national 
programmes. 

Unchanged. 

27 

Annex  2 

Identification  criteria 

The  identification  of  projects  of  common 
interest  among  the  projects  presented  by 
interested  sector  actors  in  response  to  a  call 
for  proposals  as  mentioned  in  Article  7  is 
made  on  the  basis  of  their  compliance  with 
the  objectives  and  priorities  laid  down  in 
Articles 2 and 3 respectively.  These  projects 
shall  be  transnational  with  special  emphasis 
on  projects  of  an  interregional  nature. 

The  identification  of  projects  of  common 
interest  among  the  projects  presented  by 
interested  sector  actors  in  response  to  a  call 
for  proposal  as  mentioned  in  Article  7  is 
made  on  the  basis  of  their  compliance  with 
the  objectives  and  priorities  laid  down  in 
Articles 2 and 3 respectively.  These projects 
must  be  transnational  in  the  sense  that  they 
shall be conceived to satisfy  needs existing in 
several  Member 
be 
implemented in several Member  States.  This 
does  not  prevent  the  initial  phase  of  their 
deployment,  designed  to  check  the  technical 
and commercial  viability  of the project,  from 
being  carried  out  in  a  single  Member  State, 
if it  appears  that the  conditions  prevailing  in 
this Member  State are representative of those 
existing  in  the  other  Member  States  where 
the project should ultimately be implemented. 

States 

and 

to 

Unchanged. 

In  addition, 
the  economic  and  financial 
criteria  spelt  out  in  the  "Regulation  laying 
down  the  general  rules  for  the  granting  of 
Community financial  aid in the field of trans-
into 
European  networks"  shall  be  taken 
account.  These  criteria,  which  will  be  used 
in the framework  of this Regulation to decide 
on  the  granting  of  a  financial  support  to  a 
specific  project,  are 

- 

- 

- 

the  potential  economic  viability  of  the 
project,  which  should  be  assured, 

Unchanged. 

the  maturity  of  the  project, 

the  stimulative  effect  of  Community 
intervention  on  public  and  private 
financing, 

Unchanged. 

Unchanged. 

- 

the effectiveness  of the financial  package, 

Unchanged. 

the  direct  or  indirect  socio-economic 
effects,  in  particular  on  employment, 

Unchanged. 

28 

the consequences for the environment, 

Unchanged. 

for 

specially 
transborder  projects, 
coordination of the timing of the different 
parts of a project. 

Unchanged, 

29 

ISSN 0254-1475 

COM(96) 108 final 

DOCUMENTS 

EN 

15 

Catalogue number  :  CB-CO-96-116-EN-C 

ISBN 92-78-01644-6 

Office  for Official Publications of the European Communities 

L-2985 Luxembourg 

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