Opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee on the Communication from the Commission to the Council, the European Parliament, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions on i2010 — A European Information Society for growth and employment  (COM(2005) 229 final)
Date: 2006-03-16
Institutions: European Economic and Social Committee
Subjects: access to information, economic growth, employment policy, information society, information technology, research and development, telecommunications

9.5.2006

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 110/83

Opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee on the Communication from the
Commission to the Council,
the European Economic and Social
Committee and the Committee of the Regions on i2010 — A European Information Society for
growth and employment

the European Parliament,

(COM(2005) 229 final)

(2006/C 110/14)

On 1 June 2005 the European Commission decided to consult the European Economic and Social
Committee, under Article 262 of the Treaty establishing the European Community, on the abovementioned
communication.

The Section for Transport, Energy, Infrastructure and the Information Society, which was responsible for
preparing the Committee's work on the subject, adopted its opinion on 31 January 2006. The rapporteur
was Mr Lagerholm.

At its 425th plenary session, held on 15-16 March 2006 (meeting of 16 March), the European Economic
and Social Committee adopted the following opinion by 141 votes to 1 with 5 abstentions.

1. Executive summary

The EESC welcomes

1.1
the European Commission's
communication on i2010 as an essential component of the
framework of the future strategy for the Information Society in
the EU. The EESC fully agrees with the three priorities set out
in the proposal, which are the following: firstly, the creation of
a Single European Information Space offering universal access
and rich digital content; secondly, the improvement of perfor-
mance in research and innovation in the domain of Informa-
tion and Communication Technologies (ICT) and lastly, the
promotion of an inclusive Information Society that enhances
quality of life.

Since ICT is such an important part of

the Lisbon
1.2
process, the EESC wishes to emphasise the need to intensify
efforts to both support and pressurize on the Member States —
particularly those which are lagging behind — so as to speed
up the pace of development and meet the preconditions for
achieving the Lisbon strategic objective by 2010. Without dedi-
cating considerable financial resources, especially to R&D in
ICT,
in the Communication cannot be
achieved. R&D and innovation policies are crucial both for the
ICT industry as such, and the ICT users industry. The avail-
ability of a larger budget is vital but, of equal importance is the
need to ensure the strongest
impact of R&D projects on
industry thereby guaranteeing the greatest benefits to European
citizens.

the goals set out

The EESC emphasises that the bridging of the ‘digital
1.4
divide’ is a prerequisite for ICT to make good on its inherent
social and economic potential. Only when there is technical
and legal access to information, universal and affordable access
to broadband services, when there are adequate computer skills
and when programmes are user-friendly, can the ‘digital divide’
be bridged. This also means that policy making should take
into consideration the special needs of socially disadvantaged
people,
Information
Society. There is also a need to develop a culture of refining
information and checking the authenticity of knowledge. So far
the European Education System has not met these needs of the
digital age. The EESC therefore recommends linking the i2010
strategy to improvements in Europe's education system in par-
ticular, by increasing funding. Only if the above conditions are
met can we take advantage of the opportunities that the infor-
mation society provides in terms not only of growth and
employment, but also of personal development.

thereby ensuring an inclusive, equal

1.5 Moreover, the concept of universal and affordable access
must be supported by a concrete technical step that consists of
the upgrading and development of telecommunications infra-
structure, which is the backbone of the Information Society.
The EESC would also like to stress the importance of enhancing
awareness with regard to security matters, since confidence in
IT is a prerequisite for its frequent use and of particular rele-
vance to the exploitation of the full potential of the Internet. In
order to elevate awareness, public authorities at local, national
and EU level should encourage cooperation with business in
order to combat cyber-crime.

2. Introduction: Gist of the proposal

1.3
The Communication rightly addresses convergence and
interoperability issues, which constitute one of the most impor-
tant aspects of
the strategy for end-users. The EESC is
convinced that the regulations should promote interoperability
while maintaining a technological neutral approach and,
despite the difficulties,
resolve any possible contradictions
between interoperability and neutrality. R&D and standardisa-
tion work in this field is, in the EESC's view, potentially very
productive and should remain market-led and involve all rele-
vant stakeholders.

2.1 With this proposal (COM(2005) 229 final), the Commis-
sion intends to follow up the eEurope 2005 Action Plan (1),
which was the successor of the eEurope 2002 (2) Action Plan.
The latter was launched in June 2000 to support the Lisbon
in order to make the European Union the most
Strategy,

(1) eEurope 2005: an Information Society for all COM(2002) 263.
(2) eEurope 200: eEurope 2002: Accessibility of Public Web Sites and

their Content COM(2001) 529.

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competitive and dynamic knowledge-based economy in the
world capable of sustainable economic growth with more and
better jobs and greater social cohesion by 2010. The forth-
coming closure of the eEurope 2005 Action Plan, the new chal-
lenges provoked by ICT as it becomes more mature and global,
as well as the mid-term revision of the Lisbon Strategy result in
an urgent need to build up a comprehensive and holistic
strategy to spur on the growth of the sector.

‘The ESC welcomes the eEurope initiative and considers it
to be the most important and ambitious effort by the Euro-
pean Union to date to familiarise its citizens with and
adapt its businesses and its public bodies as rapidly as
possible to the new conditions created by the digital age
and the new economy. In the Committee's view, this initia-
tive is more than a starting point for that familiarisation
it is a buttress for the
and adaptation process, however;
though
relevant processes that are already developing,
slowly, in the market and in society’ (5).

The Commission considers the ICT sector to be a
2.2
powerful driver of growth and employment and as such
playing a key role in European Union level policy making. At
the same time the Commission admits that digital convergence
of information society, media services, networks and devices
constitute an important challenge for policy making since they
require a proactive and integrated policy approach and policy
convergence beside an aptitude to adapt regulatory frameworks
in a rapid manner.

‘The ESC is adamant that all the measures relating to stimu-
lating Internet use, establishing an information society and
achieving the Union's new strategic goal should focus on
people and their needs, the European citizen, European
society and the European economy. Provided it serves that
principle, the establishment of the information society —
as an antecedent to the knowledge-based society — will
acquire real significance’ (6).

2.3
The Commission proposes a new strategic framework,
i2010 — European Information Society 2010, laying out broad
It promotes an open and competitive
policy orientations.
digital economy and emphasises ICT as a driver of inclusion
and quality of life. A key element of the renewed Lisbon part-
nership for growth and jobs, i2010 will build towards an inte-
grated approach to information society and audio-visual media
policies in the EU.

2.4
Drawing on a comprehensive analysis of information
society challenges and drawing on wide stakeholder consulta-
tion on previous initiatives and instruments (3), the Commission
proposes three priorities. The first objective is to create a Single
European Information Space offering affordable and secure
high bandwidth communications, rich and diverse content and
digital services respecting the principle of interoperability of
devices and platforms. The second objective is to achieve
world-class performance in research and innovation in ICT.
Finally, the third objective is to influence the evolution of an
Information Society in a way that it would become inclusive,
provide high quality public services and promote quality of life.

‘The ESC is aware of the scale and number of problems
associated with the development of the action plan. In par-
ticular, the Committee foresees difficulties in covering the
ground and gaps that have opened up as a result of
Europe's tardy response to the new technological chal-
lenges’ (7).

the risk of

‘For the ESC,
individuals, groups or entire
regions being excluded from the overall initiative is great
and manifold, given that non-computerised access
to
universal services will gradually become obsolete as the
provision of computer-based services develops. For this
reason, the ESC agrees with those who support the view
the programme as a whole and the individual
that
measures
combating these
risks’ (8).

should include means of

These and other (9) observations by the EESC,

3.2
in
conjunction with the Final Report and other Commission docu-
ments on the eEurope 2002 programme, have led the
Committee to the following conclusions on the Commission
communication on ‘i2010 — A European Information Society
for growth and employment’.

3. General comments

In its opinion on the eEurope Action Plan (4), which is
3.1
the predecessor to the proposed i2010 Action Plan, the EESC
made several observations, including the following:

(3) i.e. the eEurope initiatives and the communication on the future of

European audiovisual regulatory policy - COM(2003) 784.
(4) The rapporteur of the opinion was Mr Christoforos Koryfidis.

The EESC welcomes

3.3
the European Commission's
communication on i2010 as an essential exercise to frame the
future strategy for the Information Society in the EU.

(5) OJ C 123 of 25/04/2001.
(6) ibid. (point 3.1.4).
(7) ibid. (point 3.2).
(8) ibid. (point 3.2.2).
(9) cf. relevant EESC opinions including: OJ C 123 of 25.4.2001, OJ C
139 of 11.5.2001, OJ C 80 of 3.4.2002, OJ C 94 of 18.4.2002, OJ
C 116 of 20.4.2000, OJ C 61 of 14.3.2003, OJ C 133 of 6.6.2003,
OJ C 36 of 8.2.2002, O.J. C 311 of 7.11.2001, OJ C 85 of
8.4.2003, OJ C 36 of 8.2.2002, OJ C 241 of 7.10.2002, OJ C 221
of 7.8.2001, OJ 133 of 6.6.2003 etc.

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The EESC supports

3.4
continue and enhance the eEurope initiative beyond 2005.

the Commission's

intention to

3.5
Over the last decade Europe has made much progress in
exploiting new information technology, both in terms of IT
uptake and maintaining a strong IT and telecoms industry. This
has been enhanced by important political initiatives from the
Commission, not least the eEurope 2005 Action Plan, which
has been instrumental in this respect. However, much remains
to be done to take full advantage and reap the benefits of the
evolving information- and knowledge society.

3.6
The EESC shares the Commission's view that investment
and research in ICT partly explains the productivity differences
between the EU and the US, and that investing more in ICT
can secure faster productivity gains in Europe too, and thereby
enhance growth, employment and welfare.

3.7
Globalisation presents the EU with new challenges.
China, India and South America are fast growing economies
In order to
where the ICT industry is developing rapidly.
address this competition, the EU needs to develop robust strate-
gies, not least in the field of ICT.

3.8
The importance of ICT to enhance EU competitiveness
was highlighted in the Lisbon Strategy. The EESC welcomes the
i2010 initiative as a component in achieving the Lisbon objec-
tive of making the EU ‘the most competitive and dynamic knowl-
edge-based economy in the world capable of sustainable economic
growth with more and better jobs and greater social cohesion’ by
2010.

Since ICT is such an important part of the Lisbon
3.8.1
process,
the EESC would emphasise the need to intensify
efforts, support and pressure on the Member States — particu-
larly those who are lagging behind — to speed up the pace of
development and to meet the preconditions for achieving the
Lisbon strategic objective by 2010.

ICT is a ‘General Purpose Technology’

3.9
(GPT). A GPT
enables the transformation of virtually the whole society as the
GPT is disseminated in a myriad of applications often
embedded. One other example of GPT for the 20th century
was the combustion engine. When the car was invented, it was
not the car industry that was the force providing the impetus
behind the prolonged upswing in western economies in the
20th century but the infrastructure that we built to enable us
to use the car — from roads and new service sectors to the
fundamentally changed patterns of living and systems for the
distribution of merchandise.

3.9.1
The introduction of new technology in itself does not
as such create additional value or profit, this only happens
when the work and production processes are reorganised.

Productivity gains often do not emerge until
long after the
innovation was introduced. The same applies to ICT. It must be
understood that the full potential of ICT (a GPT) can only be
realised through a widespread up-take of the technology by all
including businesses, employees, citizens and
stakeholders
public authorities on all
levels of government. The EESC
emphasises that the bridging of the digital divide is a prerequi-
site for ICT to deliver its inherit potential.

The Commission communication particularly stresses
3.10
the need for increased investment to strengthen the supply
side. The EESC feels it would have been useful if the Commis-
sion had also looked more closely at the conditions that would
enable such investment to be made. The EESC also believes that
it is a question of innovation capacity and dissemination of
technology.

3.10.1
If efficiency and productivity gains are to be achieved
through new technology, work should be organised in a way
that makes better use of the opportunities provided by the new
technology. This will require changes to business management
and the introduction of open and innovative working struc-
tures, through social dialogue. This would also give employees
a wider range of responsibilities and job content. The Commis-
sion might have usefully discussed this dimension more in
depth.

If we want

3.10.2
to create a knowledge society and
economy, we need to consider the application of ICT in manu-
facturing and services in the overall context of changing
production and work conditions. An examination of examples
of the successful application of ICT in companies reveals that
these were always achieved in conjunction with the prior intro-
duction of new forms of work organisation, with flat hierar-
chies, where trust is put in the experience and knowledge of
employees, and expertise and decision-making tend to coalesce.

The Commission's strategy puts great emphasis on
3.10.3
increases in investment levels to improve the supply side. A
more explicit discussion of what framework conditions and
user requirements are needed to turn such investments into
successful innovation in the first place could have been useful.

The EESC feels that the Commission Communication
3.11
should have addressed the issue of compiling statistics on the
information society. The statistics instruments used thus far
cannot be used for the new communications technologies and
related sectors. Policy in this area requires standardised, interna-
tionally comparable statistics on the use and development of
services and technology. Although there is no such discussion
in the Communication, the EESC is aware and welcome that
the Commission has taken initiatives to address these issues.

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4. Specific comments

the goals set out

The EESC notes that the crucial factor for the achieve-
4.1
ment of
in the Communication is the
upgrading and development of telecommunications infrastruc-
ture, which is the backbone of the Information Society. It is
crucial when framing future policy initiatives to give the
utmost importance to measures that promote investment and
effective competition inside the different sectors and between
all market players, within the framework of a level playing-field
for all stakeholders. The EESC stresses, however, that special
consideration must be given to the presence of dominant
actors and other special competitive conditions that apply to
the ICT industry, and particularly to firms that develop,
produce and market software.

4.2
The EESC would stress the need for broadband to be
rolled out at a pace that will not stymie use of advanced appli-
cations of new technology.

4.2.1
It is difficult to give a specific, generally accepted defi-
nition of broadband, but a somewhat limited definition is of
course necessary if there is to be a meaningful discussion of its
development. The Commission Communication should have
elucidated this better. The EESC believes that, as a minimum,
broadband should mean an asynchronous throughput of over
2mb per second, and that only in exceptional cases can 512
kbit per second be accepted as broadband.

4.3
The EESC welcomes the Commission's intention to
review the electronic communications regulatory framework.
This review is urgently needed in order to create more incen-
tives for investment and innovation.

The EESC would emphasise that convergence exposes
4.4
policy-makers to new challenges in the drive to increase IT
uptake. Convergence means that users will be able to access the
same content and services (e.g. voice, high-speed data and
video) over a wide range of different platforms (ADSL, cable,
satellite, PLC, 3G, etc.) to various end terminals ranging from
traditional computer terminals, mobile phones and TV to inte-
grated information technology elements in cars, household
equipment and a variety of other applications. The benefits of
convergence will depend on customers being offered quality
content services and having access to high-speed connections.

lations or standards. The EESC is convinced that the regulations
should promote interoperability, the most important question
for end-users, while keeping a technologically neutral approach,
and despite the difficulties to solve any possible contradictions
between interoperability and neutrality.

4.5
The ICT sector is itself in a state of major transformation
which will enable it to meet these challenges, including expan-
sion of broadband, technological change, evolving consumer
patterns, new business models, and growing competition
between different platforms.

4.5.1
The Communication rightly addresses convergence
and interoperability. R&D and standardisation work in this field
are, in the EESC's view, potentially very productive. The stan-
dardisation work should remain market-led, involve all relevant
stakeholders and focus on users' needs. The EESC would refer
to earlier experiences with, for example, the GSM standard, and
the IP-protocol.

4.6
The move towards more integrated IP-based networks
both in business as well as in the public sector, will have far-
reaching implications for the interplay between stakeholders:
enterprises, public authorities and citizens. Massive investment
will be required from telecommunications operators to meet
the convergence requirements, upgrade existing networks,
simplify architectures and develop next generation networks.
The EESC believes it is essential for the European information
society that EU and national policy-makers ensure the appro-
priate climate for these major investments.

In the information society debate, security is central to
4.7
the development of attitudes towards and trust in IT. The
perceived security of and trust in digital transactions determines
the speed with which enterprises are likely to exploit ICT in
their business. Consumers' willingness to provide credit card
numbers on a web page is greatly influenced by the perceived
safety of the action. In addition, users' trust in ICT is an essen-
tial
ingredient to the acceptance of eGovernment and to its
rollout.

The security of

4.7.1
information and computer-related
crime is increasingly a major problem affecting businesses,
administrations, employees and consumers alike. The EESC
would stress that information society policy must be framed in
such a way that confidence is enhanced and all players dare to
exploit the full potential of the Internet (10).

4.4.1
It is important to acknowledge the rapid development
of new applications and the introduction of disruptive technol-
ogies like smart tags and voice-over IP when framing new regu-

(10) Due consideration should also be given to the security solutions
offered by the open source operating systems and softwares in the
fight against piracy and intrusions in the networks.

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4.7.2
As information networks become increasingly inte-
grated, society is ever more dependent on 24/7 functioning of
the system; consequently, functioning of the physical infrastruc-
ture is crucial when information- and network security is under
discussion.
the systems should include
that
network redundancy.

It is important

EESC believes that supporting the development of ICT products
and services applicable for SMEs, e.g. through R&D support,
standardisation and educational projects, could be a key factor
in boosting EU competitiveness.

is essential

For ICT users it

4.7.3
that computer-related
crime is tackled, where possible, in an internationally harmo-
nised way, and that enforcement of legislation is vigorously
pursued, thereby demonstrating that such crime does not pay.
Initiatives to combat computer-related crime must, however, be
assessed to ensure they are not at the expense of industry or at
the expense of fundamental rights such as the right to privacy.
Such assessments are important, notably in the current debate
regarding stricter data retention requirements (11).

4.7.4
The security problem has been acknowledged by the
Commission in numerous communications and recommenda-
tions, as well as through the establishment of the European
Network and Information Security Agency. The EESC believes
that a common environment should be created through the
Agency where public and private sectors can work together to
protect
the
increasingly rapid changes in technology and without imposing
inappropriate administrative or financial burdens.

their information systems,

taking into account

The EESC believes

that enhancing awareness is
4.7.5
fundamental to increasing information and network security. In
order to elevate awareness, public authorities at local, national
and EU level should encourage more intense cooperation with
business in order to combat cyber-crime.

4.8
In other respects, too, trust in e-transactions should be
strengthened. The patchwork of directives and national laws on
e-business and privacy does not add to the easy understanding
of what is permitted and what is not. Especially since enforcing
the law and passing sentences is still immature.

4.10
R&D and innovation policies are crucial both for the
ICT industry as such, as well as the ICT users industry. It is not
just important to have a larger budget available for R&D and
it is also important to seek the highest
innovation activities;
impact and benefits for European citizens and industry from
R&D projects. In this sense, involvement of the main players in
R&D projects is essential, particularly those who have a bigger
impact in the final application of the technologies: industries,
manufacturers and service providers.

4.11
The independent ‘Five-Year Assessment Panel of IST-
RTD’ concluded in its recent report that Europe's research and
development in Information Society Technologies (IST) makes
a vital contribution to efforts to become the world's most
competitive knowledge economy, but Europe must step up this
investment if it is to achieve ‘critical mass’ in these technolo-
gies. The report also highlights the need to reduce bureaucracy,
which threatens
this
analysis.

to stifle research. The EESC shares

4.12
The EESC believes that one of the central pillars in
ICT-policy is public authorities' use of ICT in a broad sense.
Public authorities are often demanding and capable users and
buyers of ICT and are therefore a key policy instrument to
achieve the objectives of the i2010 Action Plan. There are a
whole set of different measures that can be envisaged ranging
from electronic public procurement, using ICT for easing the
administrative burden for enterprises (eGovernment), eHealth,
eLearning and public spending on R&D.

4.8.1
The EESC welcomes the Commission's proposal for an
evaluation of the directives on e-business and privacy. Simplifi-
cation is often possible, since this leads to transparency.
Further harmonisation is sometimes useful, e.g.
in the way
Member States address spam in electronic communication.

increased use of

It is important to heed the consequences of the ‘digital
4.13
divide’ and of
ICT. The impact will be
economic, social and cultural. If the full potential of the infor-
to be realised, businesses, citizens and
mation society is
employees must become more IT proficient. This is a matter of
lifelong learning and skills development.

4.9
However, it is not only security aspects and knowledge
of existing rules that keep SMEs from benefiting fully from the
potential offered by ICT development. An important factor is
the lack of programmes that are sufficiently user-friendly. The

(11) OJ C 68/16, 21.3.2006.

4.14
On the basis of its work to date, the EESC believes that
one main concern in the bid to build a full and effective Euro-
pean information society is the lack of understanding, among
much of the European public, of the role, value and potential
of reliable information and knowledge in transforming the

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modern world of production and trade; and the fact that there
has been no mass, systematic development of ‘a culture of
refining information and checking the authenticity of knowl-
edge (12)’;
in other words, a culture that can deal with the
confusion created by the greater volume of information and by
the speed at which it moves today.

4.14.1
The EESC believes that these problems arise from the
poor performance of European education systems in terms of
responding to the needs of the digital age. It therefore recom-
mends linking the i2010 strategy as closely and effectively as
possible to improvements in Europe's education systems,
in
particular by increasing funding.

4.14.2
Doubling the proportion of the labour force under-
going digital training would certainly provide new impetus.
This training should attract high-skilled and low-skilled workers
in equal numbers. Both employers and employees have an
important role to play here.

The public sector at various levels also has an impor-
4.14.3
tant
role to play in encouraging and integrating lifelong
learning. This is clearly in line with the EU's overall policy
objectives under the Lisbon process, which include sustainable
development. At the same time, the unemployed must also
have access to publicly supported IT training programmes in
order to help them return to work.

In this connection the EESC would reiterate the
4.14.4
stance it took in a previous opinion (13) and emphatically stress
the need to create a more favourable climate for eLearning to
become part of all education and training levels.

However, providing access for the socially disadvan-
4.15
taged is not just a matter of education initiatives. Many groups,
owing to economic or geographic reasons or special needs (e.g.

Brussels, 16 March 2006.

the visually impaired or the elderly) are often excluded from
modern communications. Overcoming these barriers is an
important criterion in creating a successful, equal information
society.

4.15.1
A further challenge is the creation of an inclusive
European information area, which strengthens the participation
rights of all citizens and supports cultural and linguistic diver-
sity. In order to achieve this, the flow of information and inno-
vation must be made democratic and unfettered access to infor-
mation guaranteed. Given the digitization of the information
area and new technical developments as regards monitoring
and restricting the flow of information, there must be legal
guarantees that
information in the public domain remains
accessible to all and that consideration is given to public
interest in information protected by copyright. The ability to
innovate can be strongly influenced by rules on the protection
of intellectual property, from patents and copyrights to the
protection of software and databases.
Intellectual property
protection rules in one hand, and individual access rights to
culture and knowledge in the other hand, should be balanced
in a way that allows a temporary protection for promoting
innovation and investments, while allowing the widest possible
access to information and knowledge, in line with the Lisbon
strategy.

4.16
Only when there is technical and legal access to infor-
mation, universal and affordable access to broadband services,
when there are adequate computer skills and programmes are
user-friendly, can the ‘digital divide’ be bridged. Only then can
we take advantage of the opportunities that the information
society provides in terms of growth and employment, but also
personal development.

The President

of the European Economic and Social Committee

Anne-Marie SIGMUND

(12) This means

the development within education of

individual
mechanisms for filtering information and checking its reliability
OJ C 157 of 25.5.1998 (Paragraph 2.3.8).

(13) EESC opinion on The European dimension of education: its nature,
content and prospects (rapporteur: Mr Christoforos Koryfidis) OJ C
139 of 11.05.2001(Paragraph 4.5).
‘The ESC sees the eLearning
initiative as the cornerstone of Europe's effort to bring its citizens
into the digital age, and more specifically to promote Internet use,
the networking of educational establishments and the development
of virtual mobility. It therefore recommends removal as soon as
possible of the obstacles standing in the way of effective develop-
ment of the initiative, foremost among which are the cost and
quality of the relevant electronic infrastructure, connection costs,
digital content and the linguistic reality of the Internet.’