INFORMATION SOCIETY: FIVE-YEAR PLAN TO BOOST GROWTH AND INNOVATION IN COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY.

• Position: European Telecommunications Network Operators' Association

Policy-technology convergence.

The convergence of digital technology is gathering pace, with developments such as voice over internet, TV online and movies on mobile telephones. Its popularity is growing equally as fast - Europeans spent more than euro 1.5 billion on downloads last year alone, while the Japanese now spend more time online than watching television.

For regulators and policy-makers, this rapid growth has posed problems in areas such as content management, interoperability and the availability of new technologies, and the lack of any coherent regulatory framework has hampered investments by companies keen to tap into the massive potential of ICT.

The i2010 strategy will therefore focus on a "policy convergence" process to mirror this technology convergence. Starting with an updating of spectrum management policy later this year, the Commission will modernise and improve its regulations on a number of relevant areas, including audiovisual media services, electronic communications, security and digital rights management.

In addition, the strategy will aim to boost European investment in ICT by 80% in a bid to close the gap with the US and Japan. Those countries spend Euro400 and euro 350 per head on ICT research each year, compared with just euro 80 per head by the European Union, and higher investment should not only allow Europe to maintain its leadership in areas such as nanoelectronics and embedded systems but also to gain ground in other key areas.

While the improving the regulatory framework and stimulating investment will help those involved in creating and exploiting digital technologies, the i2010 strategy is also designed to bring these technologies into wider...