Enabling the information society by stimulating the creation of a broadband environment in Europe. Analyses of evolution scenarios for future networking technologies and networks in Europe

How can Europe become, the most competitive and dynamic knowledge-based economy in the world, capable of sustainable economic growth with more and better jobs and greater social cohesion'? Central to this goal are networks and networking: not only telecommunications but also information technology writ large. Their capability and performance are crucial for creating a globally competitive environment. Accordingly, the European Commission's eEurope Action Plan focuses on investing in a cheaper, faster, and more secure Internet. Increased competition is seen as a crucial step in the way forward to achieve cheaper Internet access and higher bandwidth capacity. This report is the result of a study commissioned by the Directorate General Information Society of the European Commission to create a better understanding of the pace and direction of developments in this area, mapped against an uncertain future, and to recommend policy options for government intervention as a background against which political decision making can take place. The study provides an analysis of the development of electronic networks in Europe and North America and its technical, economic and political drivers. It includes four scenarios depicting possible futures of electronic networks in Europe, a framework for policy formulation, analyses of selected current policies and observations regarding possible policy measures and the input of experts and stakeholders in the field during a workshop in Brussels, and concludes with a series of observations and recommendations for policy action and further research.