INFORMATION SOCIETY: IST RESEARCH PRIORITIES FOR THE SIXTH FRAMEWORK PROGRAMME.

The programme outlines three technology-specific targets:

- development of reliable and interoperable mobile, wireless, optical and broadband communication infrastructures;

- increased miniaturisation of microelectronic components and micro-systems in order to reduce costs and power consumption; and

- development of user friendly interfaces that can interpret all senses, such a speech, vision and touch, and can understand multiple languages.

The participation of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in IST research initiatives is described as essential, given their role as promoters of innovation. Under the previous framework programme...