Commission organises "Broadband Day" in Brussels to promote Broadband in Europe

vinnyfitz

I would love ot know who will attend from Ireland

Release issued today:

Brussels, 24 January 2003

Commission organises "Broadband Day" in Brussels to promote the availability of Broadband in Europe

European Enterprise and Information Society Commissioner Erkki Liikanen will host a Broadband Day on January 28th 2003 in Brussels to promote the widespread availability and use of broadband Internet access in Europe. This workshop will bring together high level officials responsible for broadband policy in the Member States, to exchange experiences and thereby stimulate the design of national strategies to ensure widespread availability of broadband throughout the EU. The Broadband Day will contribute to reviews underway in several Member States. Representatives of the private sector will be invited to the afternoon session to discuss obstacles to broadband deployment perceived by market players.

The Broadband Day will take place in Brussels, at the Charlemagne building of the European Commission (room S2). The Workshop will be organised in two parts: a morning session aimed at allowing Member States to exchange views on their respective broadband policies; and an afternoon session during which industry representatives participate in the debate. Journalists are invited to take part in the afternoon session that will start at 14.30 hrs. Journalists should sign up in advance for participation in the afternoon session to Per.Haugaard@cec.eu.int.

Internet penetration has increased rapidly in the EU since the launch of the Lisbon strategy in 2000. The Internet is becoming the main means for the transmission of information, communication, transactions and media in Europe.

European Governments place increasing emphasis on the necessity of the development and diffusion of high-speed Internet - that is, broadband. Commissioner Liikanen said: "The benefits of broadband in terms of productivity gains, growth, and employment are expected to be significant. Broadband will stimulate new businesses and improve productivity and innovation in companies from manufacturing to entertainment. It can increase inclusion in society and raise living standards through better education, health, e-government and teleworking". Several EU Member States have started reviewing the situation regarding broadband on their territory. Many new initiatives are being undertaken at national, regional and local levels.

This is why the Barcelona European Council called on the Commission to draw up an eEurope Action Plan focusing, amongst other things, on the 'widespread availability and use of broadband throughout the Union by 2005'. eEurope 2005 was endorsed in the summer of 2002, and identifies wide adoption of broadband services as the key to productivity gains, improvements in living standards, and social inclusion.

De Rebel

Originally posted by vinnyfitz
This workshop will bring together high level officials responsible for broadband policy in the Member States, to exchange experiences and thereby stimulate the design of national strategies to ensure widespread availability of broadband throughout the EU.

I think the IOFFL chairman should attend, after all he seems to be more responsible for introducing broadband than anyone else i can think of.....................

Of course, given thqat its a policy thing, its likely to be one of the bright young things from the DCMNR, and no doubt ComReg will be there for appearances sake.