Europe’s Information Society
Newsroom Update
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PRESS RELEASE
Commission seeks views on how best to exploit cloud computing in Europe
(16 May 2011) The European Commission is seeking views from citizens, businesses, public administrations and other interested parties on how to fully benefit from ‘cloud computing’. Cloud computing enables companies, public administrations and individuals, using networks such as the internet, to access their data and software on computers located somewhere else. It can help businesses – especially SMEs – to drastically reduce information technology costs, help governments supply services at a lower cost and save energy by making more efficient use of hardware. Cloud computing is already used widely, for example for web-based e-mail services. This trend is growing and cloud services are expected to generate revenues of almost EUR 35 billion in Europe by 2014. Promoting the right conditions for citizens and businesses to best benefit from this technical development is one of the actions foreseen by the Digital Agenda for Europe. The online public consultation will run until the August 31st. Responses will feed into the preparation of a European cloud computing strategy that the Commission will present in 2012.
PRESS RELEASE
Neelie Kroes discusses Internet governance with US Administration
(13 May 2011) Neelie Kroes (European Commission Vice President for the Digital Agenda) and Lawrence Strickling (Assistant Secretary – US Department of Commerce) met in Brussels on May 12th to discuss a wide range of topics dedicated to ensuring the sustainability of the multistakeholder private sector-led model of Internet governance which both the EU and the US have stoutly defended over many years.
PRESS RELEASE
Neelie Kroes welcomes European Parliament’s support for EU Spectrum Policy proposal
(11 May 2011) Neelie Kroes, Vice President of the European Commission for the Digital Agenda, has welcomed the adoption of the European Parliament’s position at first reading on the proposal for a Decision establishing a Radio Spectrum Policy Programme (RSPP). The Commission presented the RSPP proposal in September 2010 to ensure spectrum is available in Europe to support EU policies, and in particular wireless communications, and forms part of a package of measures to promote the roll-out and take-up of fast and ultra-fast broadband networks. The Parliament’s position marks a significant step in the adoption of the programme, which must be implemented urgently so that a more coordinated and efficient use of spectrum in the EU can promote the development of innovative technologies and services, particularly high speed wireless broadband. Wireless broadband is essential to deliver the targets of basic broadband for all by 2013 and fast broadband for all by 2020, key goals of the Digital Agenda for Europe.
PRESS RELEASE
More than half EU Internet surfers use foreign language when online
(11 May 2011) While 90% of Internet surfers in the EU prefer to access websites in their own language, 55% at least occasionally use a language other than their own when online according to a pan-EU Eurobarometer survey released today. However, 44% of European Internet users feel they are missing interesting information because web pages are not in a language that they understand and only 18% buy products online in a foreign language. The results underline the need for investment in online translation tools so that EU Internet users are not excluded from finding information or products online because they lack the language skills. Currently the European Commission manages 30 different research projects working at the interface of language and digital content, supported by EUR 67 million of EU funding and the new projects submitted this year will get an additional EUR 50 million. One of the objectives of the Digital Agenda for Europe is to ensure more accessibility to web content for everyone.
PRESS RELEASE
eHealth survey shows most hospitals online but telemedicine services not fully deployed
(10 May 2011) More than 90% of European hospitals are connected to broadband, 80% have electronic patient record systems, but only 4% of hospitals grant patients online access to their electronic records, according to the results of a survey conducted for the European Commission. European hospitals are more advanced than US hospitals in terms of external medical exchange, but they lag behind in using eHealth to view laboratory reports or radiology images. The survey provides useful data for the work of the EU eHealth Task Force on assessing the role of information and communications technologies (ICT) in health and social care, which is due to suggest ways for ICT to speed up innovation in healthcare to the benefit of patients, carers and the healthcare sector. The EU eHealth Task Force met for the first time in Budapest on 10th May on the margins of eHealth week (10-12 May) The deployment of eHealth technologies in Europe, with a view to improving the quality of health care, reducing medical costs and fostering independent living for those needing care, is a key objective of the Digital Agenda for Europe, which for example sets a 2015 deadline for giving patients online access to their medical data.
PRESS RELEASE
Digital Agenda: EU Task Force to advise how to promote eHealth to help patients and healthcare systems in Europe
(10 May 2011) An EU eHealth Task Force to assess the role of information and communications technologies (ICT) in health and social care and to suggest ways for ICT to speed up innovation in healthcare to the benefit of patients, carers and the healthcare sector has met for the first time in Budapest on the margins of eHealth week. ICT applications already help to empower patients and address challenges faced by EU healthcare systems. However, there is considerable potential to develop eHealth much further in the future: allowing healthcare workers to dedicate more time to be with patients; enhancing self-help and independence of patients and elderly; and also to develop new modeling-based diagnostic techniques. Promoting eHealth is a key objective of the Digital Agenda for Europe.
EVENT ANNOUNCEMENT
ECTA Conference 2011 – Triggering Fibre in Europe
29 June 2011 Brussels, Belgium
The Commission has set ambitious targets for high speed broadband in Europe. This event, organised by the European Competitive Telecommunications Association (ECTA) will look at the commercial and policy initiatives that are needed to trigger fibre investment and take-up, including the regulatory environment, retail and wholesale pricing strategies for legacy copper and fibre networks, optimal business models for fibre roll-out, and the conditions in which «copper switch-off» could occur. The debate on triggering fibre investment comes at a critical time as the Commission prepares to issue guidance on wholesale pricing and other key regulatory issues which will influence the business case for high-speed broadband in Europe.
EVENT ANNOUNCEMENT
EPoSS General Assembly, Annual Forum & Proposers’s Day 2011
5 October 2011 – 7 October 2011 Barcelona, Spain
EPoSS, the European Technology Platform on Smart Systems Integration, is an industry-driven policy initiative, defining R&D and innovation needs as well as policy requirements related to Smart Systems Integration and integrated Micro- and Nanosystems. This event will offer a forum to meet with key representatives from industry, research and the European Commision, to learn about Smart Systems and Manufacturing and to catch up on new developments in the integration of technologies, functionalities and new materials. Participants can also take an active role in defining roadmaps or become a partner in future research projects.
EVENT ANNOUNCEMENT
ICT Finance MarketPlace Venture Academy and Investment Forum for SMEs
15 June 2011 – 16 June 2011 Brussels, Belgium
ICT Finance MarketPlace is an initiative to improve access to finance for innovative ICT Small and Medium Sized Enterprises(SMEs). The event is run in conjunction with the EU Digital Agenda Assembly. The Venture Academy consists of a one-day, coaching event where experienced coaches from relevant industry areas will help SMEs pragmatically to develop their pitching skills towards potential investors. The Investment Forum offers SMEs the opportunity to showcase their business in front of an international network of venture capital and corporate investors, strategic partners and expert advisors. Awards for the best investor presentations will be presented by Commissioner Kroes during the Digital Agenda Assembly.
EVENT ANNOUNCEMENT
Technology Works ! Person Centred Technology in the workplace.
22 June 2011 Cardiff, United Kingdom
The person-centred use of technology can ensure disabled people reach their full potential in work and greatly increases employment possibilities for disabled people and employers. This conference will explore the use of Person Centred Technology (PCT) in the workplace, showcase good practice and highlight policy and practice issues.
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SPEECH
Neelie Kroes, Vice-President of the European Commission for the Digital Agenda: eHealth: challenges and opportunities for the future
Opening of the Ministerial eHealth Conference, Budapest, 10 May 2011
Blog de Octavio Islas 