Council Resolution of 18 February 2003 on the implementation of the eEurope 2005 Action Plan
Date: 2003-02-18
Institutions: Council of the European Union
Subjects: Internet, action programme, comparative analysis, data protection, information society, information technology, new technology, project evaluation

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(b) the establishment of effective ways of communicating
the need for action to all stakeholders by reinforcing
levels and,
the dialogue at European and national
where appropriate,
in particular
international
with those supplying information society technology
and services;

levels

(c) addressing appropriate information exchange corre-
sponding to the needs of society to remain informed
on good practices related to security;

3. further develop,

in cooperation with Member States, a
dialogue with industry to improve security in the devel-
opment of hardware and software products and ensure
the availability of services and data;

4.

establish contacts with relevant international partners and
international organisations with a view to cooperation and
exchange of information in this area and to report to the
Council on a regular basis;

5. establish the Cyber-Security Task Force referred to in

4. encourage cooperation and partnerships between academia
and enterprises to provide secure technologies and services
and to encourage development of recognised standards.

point 2.

CALLS UPON:

WELCOMES THE INTENTION OF THE COMMISSION TO:

1. apply the open method of coordination in relation to
Member States' ongoing actions and to assess their impact
on security;

2. set up a temporary interdisciplinary working group in close
cooperation with and composed of Member States represen-
tatives to conduct preparatory actions with a view to the
establishment of a Cyber-Security Task Force as referred to
in the Council Resolution of 28 January 2002;

1.

industry to integrate the management of security risks into
the mainstream of management
thinking and business
engineering;

2. all users to take a holistic view of the risks associated with
information systems and look at the threats arising from
physical events, human failings as well as technological
vulnerabilities and deliberate attacks;

3.

industry and all users
governments in developing a culture of security.

to enter

into dialogue with

COUNCIL RESOLUTION

of 18 February 2003

on the implementation of the eEurope 2005 Action Plan

(2003/C 48/02)

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

RECALLING:

Having regard to the Conclusions of
Council on 21-22 June 2002,

the Seville European

Having regard to the eEurope 2005 Action Plan presented by
the Commission,

Having regard to the Conclusions of the Barcelona European
Council on 15-16 March 2002,

Having regard to the eEurope 2002 Action Plan and the
‘eEurope Benchmarking Report eEurope 2002’ set out in the
Commission Communication of 5 February 2002,

1. the role of the eEurope 2002 and 2005 Action Plans in the
the Lisbon 2010 objective of making the
context of
and dynamic
European Union the most
knowledge-based economy in the world,
capable of
sustainable economic growth with more and better jobs
and greater social cohesion;

competitive

2. the importance of the e-economy for growth, productivity

and employment;

Having regard to the Commission Communication of 21
November 2002 on ‘eEurope 2005: benchmarking indicators’,

3. the importance of providing citizens with the access and
skills needed to live and work in the new information
society.

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RECOGNISING:

WELCOMES THE INTENTION OF THE COMMISSION:

1. the general objectives as endorsed by the Seville European

Council in June 2002;

1. to establish a steering group which would:

2. that all

the
Action Plan will be fully implemented by the end of 2005;

institutions are called upon to ensure that

3. the need to make further progress to keep the development
of the e-economy as a priority on the European policy
agenda;

4. that the private sector has a vital role in contributing to the

implementation of the eEurope Action Plan.

UNDERLINES:

(a) provide a general overview of ongoing e-initiatives
across sectors by exchanging information on progress
made and on problems encountered;

(b) offer a forum for strategic discussions and for exchange

of experiences;

(c) monitor progress

regarding implementation of

the
eEurope 2005 Action Plan with a view to formulating
input and advice to relevant
stakeholders on how
implementation can be improved;

the vital importance of an inclusive approach (e-inclusion) by
all stakeholders to the information society and the need for this
to be reflected throughout the implementation of the eEurope
2005 Action Plan.

(d) contribute to the mid-term review;

(e) establish its own working methods;

STRESSES:

(f) permit early participation of candidate countries;

1. the key role of appropriate, attractive and high-quality
digital content in the successful development of the inter-
active broadband services on which the full implementation
of eEurope 2005 depends and the importance of using
access platforms such as 3G communications and digital
television;

2. the importance of ensuring the appropriate security of
networks and the information that is transmitted through
them for individuals, business, administrations and other
organisations.

INVITES MEMBER STATES:

the Action Plan,

1. to do their utmost, with the help of the benchmarking
indicators contained in the Annex, to achieve the objectives
to promote network security and
of
e-buisness,
e-government,
broadband and to promote
e-health and e-learning,
specific
taking into account
national, institutional and administrative structures;

2. to work with all stakeholders to effectively implement the

Action Plan;

3. by mid 2003 to contribute to an overview of national
eEurope

taken to achieve

and actions

the

measures
objectives;

2. to ensure that allocated Community funds contribute to

achieving the objectives of the eEurope Action Plan;

3. to present a midterm review of the eEurope 2005 Action
Plan in advance of the Spring European Council 2004;

4. to identify, analyse and disseminate good practice in close

cooperation with the Member States.

AGREES TO:

1. the comprehensive benchmarking to be carried out by the
Commission according to the guidelines contained in the
Annex and in cooperation with Eurostat and the National
the data will be
the collection of
Statistics
conducted on a non-permanent basis through surveys and
will not give rise to permanent statistical obligations, thus
not leading to additional burdens for the private or the
public sectors;

Institutes;

2. the consistent involvement of stakeholders in the candidate
countries in the benchmarking and exchange of good
practice, and to consider adjustments to the Action Plan
in due course to take account of their accession to the
European Union;

4. to nominate a high-level representative for the steering

group.

3. the systematic exchange of good practice based on the
analysis undertaken in cooperation with the Commission.

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1. General guidelines for the benchmarking exercise

ANNEX

eEurope 2002 benchmarking was based on 23 indicators endorsed by the Internal Market Council in November 2000.
The definitions included specifications of sub-indicators, frequency of collection and sources. eEurope forms part of the
Lisbon process which is benchmarked by the structural indicators of which seven are information society indicators.

The first analysis of eEurope 2002 indicators was given in the Commission's benchmarking report. The current bench-
marking exercise seeks to build on this experience, in particular by incorporating the following important lessons from
eEurope 2002:

(a) eEurope 2005 should have a limited number of policy indicators which are linked to the policy actions of eEurope
2005, making it easier to draw attention to results. Main indicators relating to political goals should be accompanied
by supplementary statistical
indicators providing technical data for analysis e.g. age, gender, size, sector. Third
country comparisons are needed to establish benchmarks and compare the European Union with the best in the
world. Results from benchmarking are disseminated as rapidly as possible using the eEurope web site;

(b) The present timetable for enlargement foresees the adhesion of 10 new members at the beginning of 2004 and

benchmarking will need to take account of the needs and specificities of candidate countries;

(c) Timing. The political impact of benchmarking is maximised if offers recent data to the Spring European Councils. In

practice this means data must be available by November;

(d) Checking. National Statistical Institutes (NSIs) should be given the opportunity to cross-check the results of surveys
undertaken by the Commission. Data will therefore be circulated to the Council Working Party on Information
Society Services and the Commission's Ad hoc Expert Group on Benchmarking Indicators prior to release to
monitor progress on the Action Plan;

(e) Sample surveys. The Eurobarometer surveys used for several

indicators have the advantages of providing rapid
results (within six weeks of survey) and of using a single methodology for all Member States. Their main disad-
vantage is that speed comes at the expense of quality. To improve quality, greater use should be made of surveys
undertaken by NSIs and Eurostat, and, where considered necessary by the Commission, additional ad hoc surveys.
When carrying out the surveys all practical steps should be taken to ensure quality and comparability of data across
countries;

(f)

In view of policy needs and structural change, there will be a need to assess in the future the feasibility of including
impact indicators.

2. Draft list of eEurope 2005 Benchmarking indicators (together with additional relevant policy considerations

set out in footnotes)

A. Citizens' access to and use of the Internet

Policy indicators (1):

Internet indicators

A.1

Percentage of households or individuals having access to the Internet at home;

A.2

Percentage of individuals regularly using the Internet.

Definition: population 16-74 years regularly defined as at least weekly. Use to include all locations and methods of
access. Background variables for breakdown/tables: Age, gender, employment status, education level (2).

Source: Eurostat/NSI ICT household survey, data to be collected on a comparable basis.

(1) For all policy indicators, there should, if possible, be a supplementary statistical indicator providing comparable data for the USA,

Japan or other leading countries.

(2) Policy indicators A.1 and A.2 are to be measured also at regional level in a few countries in a supplementary pilot study.

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Frequency: annual, first deliverables in 2003, second in October 2004, third in October 2005, with as reference period
the first quarter of 2003/2004/2005.

Supplementary statistical indicators:

A.3

A.4

A.5

Percentage of households or individuals with access to the Internet broken down by device for accessing via PC,
digital TV, mobile device (include all forms of mobile access; handheld computer, mobile phone, identifying 3G
(UMTS) Separately when available);

Percentage of individuals with access to the Internet broken down by place of access (home, workplace, place of
education, Internet cafe, PIAP etc);

Percentage of individuals using the Internet for specific purposes (broken down by purposes: sending/receiving
emails, finding information about goods and services, reading/downloading online newspapers, playing/down-
loading games and music, internet banking) in the previous three months;

A.6

Percentage of households or individuals connected in Objective 1 regions.

B. Enterprises' access to and use of ICTs

Policy indicators:

B.1

Percentage of persons employed using computers connected to the Internet,

in their normal work routine.

Definition: broken down by enterprise size (10 (1)-49; 50-249; 250+) and activity (Nace section D, F, G, H, I, K (2)).

Sources: Eurostat/NSI ICT enterprise survey,

Frequency: annual, first deliverables in 2003, second in October 2004, third in October 2005, with as reference period
the first quarter of 2003/2004/2005.

Supplementary statistical indicators:

B.2

Percentage of enterprises having access to the Internet;

B.3

Percentage of enterprises having a website/homepage;

B.4

Percentage of enterprises using Intranet/Extranet;

B.5

Percentage of enterprises with persons employed working part of their time (3) away from enterprise premises
and accessing the enterprise's IT systems from there.

C. Internet access costs

Policy indicator:

C.1

Costs of Internet access broken down by different frequency of use: 20, 30, 40 hrs/month, unmetered rates.

Definition: prices to be indicated separately for xDSL, cable modem and dial-up access at peak and off-peak times; prices
should include VAT.

Sources: Commission study + OECD for non-EU comparison.

Frequency: annual, first deliverables in 2003, second in October 2004, third in October 2005, with as reference period
the first quarter of 2003/2004/2005.

(1) Voluntary pilot work to be undertaken with a view to including enterprises of under 10 persons from 2004 onwards. It was further

agreed that a breakdown by enterprise size would also be valuable for the sub-indicators.

(2) Data for Nace sections J and 92.1 (motion picture and video activities) plus 92.2 (radio and television activities) to be provided from

2004 onwards.

(3) Minimum average of half a day a week.

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Supplementary statistical indicators:

C.2

Identification of cheapest broadband access by type in each Member State.

Modern on-line public services

D. e-government

Policy indicator:

D.1

Number of basic public services fully available (1) on-line.

Definition: 20 basic services as approved by the Internal Market/Consumers/Tourism Council of 12 March 2001 for the
first eEurope benchmarking exercise.

Source: Commission study in cooperation with Member States, Eurostat/NSI household/enterprise survey.

Frequency: annual, first deliverables in October 2003, second in October 2004, third in October 2005, with as reference
period the first quarter of 2003/2004/2005.

Supplementary statistical indicators:

D.2

D.3

Percentage of individuals using the Internet for interacting with public authorities broken down by purpose
(purposes: obtaining information, obtaining forms, returning filled in forms);

Percentage of enterprises using the Internet for interacting with public authorities broken down by purpose
(purposes: obtaining information, obtaining forms, returning filled in forms, full electronic case handling).

Examples of additional indicators to be the subject of pilot studies with a view to examination of their feasibility at the
mid-term review or earlier if possible (2):

D.4

Number of available basic public on-line services with integrated digital back office processes;

D.5

Public procurement processes that are fully carried out online (electronically integrated) in % (by value) of overall
public procurement;

D.6

Percentage of public authorities using open source software.

E. e-learning

Policy indicator:

E.1

Number of pupils per computer with Internet connection (broadband/non-broadband) (3).

Definition: only computers used for teaching purposes to be included.

Source: Commission study, Eurostat/NSI household/enterprise survey.

Frequency: anual, with as reference period the first quarter of 2003/2004/2005.

Supplementary statistical indicators:

E.2

Percentage of individuals having used the Internet in relation to training and educational purposes — broken
down by: formalised educational activities (school, university etc.); post-educational courses; other courses related
specifically to employment opportunities;

(1) The methodology used for collecting information on availability will be the same as that used for eEurope 2002.
(2) Other issues of interest for possible future pilot studies could include museums and cultural sites offering on-line access, number of
available public web-sites meeting the WAI-guidelines and the percentage of public employees with Internet and e-mail facilities or
benefiting from e-learning applications.
(3) After cross-checking by Member States.

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E.3

Percentage of enterprises using e-learning applications for training and education of employees.

F. e-health (1)

Policy indicators:

F.1

Percentage of Population (aged 16 and over) using Internet to seek health information whether for themselves or
others;

F.2

Percentage of general practitioners using electronic patient records.

Definition: health information covers injury, disease and nutrition. Frequency: daily, weekly, monthly, rarely, never.
Demographic data: age, gender, breakdown between general searches and those for named practitioner online. If named
practitioner, purpose of communication: make appointment, request prescription, or seek medical advice.

Source: new survey, Eurostat/NSI household survey.

Frequency: annual, first deliverables in 2003, second in October 2004, third in October 2005, with as reference period
the first quarter of 2003/2004/2005.

A dynamic e-business environment

G. Buying and selling on-line

Policy indicator:

G.1

Percentage of enterprises' total turnover from e-commerce.

Definition: e-commerce as defined by OECD including both broad and narrow definition. On-line buying and selling to
include both via Internet and EDI. Sales should include those to business partners (B2B) and private customers (B2C) but
only enterprises buying/selling more than 1 % on-line to be included. Except for G.2, tables should be broken down by
enterprise size by number of employees (10-49; 50-249; 250 +) and activity (Nace sections D, F, G, H,
I, K,
92.1 + 92.2).

Source: Eurostat/NSI enterprise survey/household survey.

Frequency: annual, first deliverables in 2003, second in October 2004, third in October 2005, with as reference period
the first quarter of 2003/2004/2005.

Supplementary statistical indicators:

G.2

Percentage of individuals having ordered/bought goods or services for private use over the Internet in the last
three months;

G.3

Percentage of enterprises having received orders on-line;

G.4

Percentage of entreprises having received on-line payments for Internet sales;

G.5

Percentage of enterprises having purchased on-line.

H. e-business readiness (2)

Policy Indicator: e-business index (composite indicator).

(1) The difficulties in finding policy relevant indicators on this issue are recognised given the budgetary and feasibility constraints
involved, and the differing nature of national healthcare systems. However, it is provisionally agreed to maintain the F.1 and F.2
indicators given the interest in obtaining some valuable raw data on these questions. It is also agreed to undertake pilot work with a
view to developing more policy-relevant indicators addressing, inter alia, broadband connectivity in hospitals, the use made by the
population of telemedecine networks and the communication of patient records between various actors in the health sector.

(2) The e-business composite indicator is subject to a pilot exercise. Eurostat, in consultation with Member States, should carry out this
pilot exercise to calculate an e-business composite indicator using data collected from the enterprise survey conducted in 2003. The
components for the index should be as above. Both the composition as well as individual components shall be evaluated. The results
of this exercise will be reported to the Council at the end of 2003.

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Definition: a mathematical function (to be defined in 2003) combining a number of key internal and external business
processes, which enterprises in Member States conduct using integrated digital means.

Source: Eurostat/NSI enterprise survey.

Frequency: annual, as of reference year 2003, with as reference period the first quarter of 2003/2004/2005, if launched.

Components of Index:

(a) adoption of ICT by business

a1.

percentage of enterprises that use Internet;

a2.

percentage of enterprises that have a web site/home page;

a3.

percentage of enterprises that use at least two security facilities (1) at the time of the survey;

a4.

percentage of total number of persons employed using computers in their normal work routine (at least once
a week);

a5.

percentage of enterprises having a broadband connection to the Internet;

a6.

percentage of enterprises with a LAN and using an Intranet or Extranet;

(b) use of ICT by business

b1.

b2.

b3.

b4.

percentage of enterprises that have purchased products/services via the internet, EDI or any other computer
mediated network where these are > 1 % of total purchases;

percentage of enterprises that have received orders via the internet, EDI or any other computer mediated
network where these are > 1 % of total turnover;

percentage of enterprises whose IT systems for managing orders or purchases are linked automatically with
other internal IT systems;

percentage enterprises whose IT systems are linked automatically to IT systems of suppliers or customers
outside their enterprise group;

b5.

percentage of enterprises with Internet access using the internet for banking and financial services;

b6.

percentage of enterprises that have sold products to other enterprises via a presence on specialised internet
market places.

A secure information infrastructure

I. Internet users' experience and usage regarding ICT-security

Policy indicators:

I.1

Percentage of individuals with Internet access having encountered security problems;

I.2

Percentage of enterprises with Internet access having encountered security problems.

(1) As defined in the Eurostat survey.

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Definition: security problems defined for individuals as payment (1) card fraud, computer viruses and abuse of personal
information; and for enterprises, broken down by enterprise size (10-49; 50-249; 250 +), as computer virus attack
resulting in loss of information or working time, unauthorised access to systems or data and blackmail/threats against
the enterprise data or software that have occurred in the last 12 months.

Source: Eurostat/NSI ICT household/enterprise survey

Frequency: annual, first deliverables in October 2003, second in October 2004, third in October 2005, with as reference
period the first quarter of 2003/2004/2005

Supplementary statistical indicators:

I.3

I.4

I.5

Percentage of individuals having taken ICT security precautions (2) within the last three months;

Percentage of enterprises having taken ICT precautions;

Percentage of individuals and enterprises that have installed security devices on their PCs and updated them
within the last three months.

J. Broadband penetration

Policy indicators:

Broadband

J.1

J.2

J.3

J.4

Availability of broadband access measured by percentage of
platform (3);

total households or individuals by access

Percentage of enterprises with broadband access;

Percentage of households or individuals with broadband access;

Percentage of public administrations with broadband access.

Definition: Broadband defined as high speed e.g. xDSL, cable, satellite, fixed-wireless, LAN and UMTS (in future). Tables
to be broken down by type of entity. Availability of broadband access measured by percentage of the total households
or individuals that are connectable to an exchange that has been converted to support xDSL-technology, to a cable
network that has been upgraded for Internet traffic, or to other broadband technologies.

Source: Commission study/ Eurostat/NSI ICT household/enterprise survey

Frequency: annual, first deliverables in 2003, second in October 2004, third in October 2005, with as reference period
the first quarter of 2003/2004/2005

Supplementary statistical indicators:

J.5

J.6

Difference between availability and penetration of broadband access broken down by type of access;

Percentage of households or individuals equipped with home networking connections (4).

(1) Definition to include both credit and debit cards.
(2) ‘ICT security precautions’ to be defined separately for individuals and enterprises.
(3) Further study will be undertaken regarding the inclusion of other access platforms (e.g. fixed wireless) as they become more available

and in demand.

(4) Supplementary statistical indicator to be included where and when appropriate.