The challenge of future networks and the internet

 

The future of networks and Internet was one of three main themes in the 2008 i2010 mid-term review. Many future challenges are emerging now and the EU needs to prepare for them in order to keep being a leading Internet economy in the future.

The information society is evolving towards a ubiquitous networked society, where affordable Next Generation Networks (NGN), integrated with mobile or wireless networks, allow seamless connectivity and online use of applications and services integrated in the network. Challenges are arising such as issues in privacy, IPV6 adoption, the need for higher capacity, the need to stay ahead in research, competition problems etc. The theme looks beyond the review of the EU eCommunications regulatory framework and look at challenges for the information society over the next decade (2010-2020).

 

Preparing the EU for the future internet

A Communication on the future of networks and the internet published on 29 September 2008, reviews existing actions and proposes a coherent policy for preparing Europe's information society for the next decade of internet. It follows on from the the i2010 mid-term review which highlighted future networks and internet as a policy priority.

The Communication is supplemented by two working papers:

• Indexing broadband performance - benchmarks the overall broadband performance in the Member States.

• Internet of Things (75 kB) is a consultation document which outlines the early challenges of this important development. The document launches a public consultation.

The following supporting analyses are in preparation:

1. EU Policy towards the future of networks and Internet - The ubiquitous network society
   The report will examine the challenges and opportunities for the future of the information society, and will make proposals to the Commission and the Member States on the aspects to address concerning the future of networks and Internet.  More information,

2. Privacy and Trust in the Ubiquitous Information Society
   The report is expected to review existing research on possible effects of more ambient ICT use on privacy and trust; identify challenges for privacy and data protection and for trust and confidence; as well as determine options for a policy response at EU level. More information

See also:

• Council Conclusions on future networks and the Internet , November 2008

• Committee of the Regions – Opinion on universal service in electronic communications and future networks and the internet , February 2009

• Internet of Things thematic page

• IPv6 thematic page

• A conference on the Internet of things and Internet of the future 6-7 October 2008, organised by the French Presidency.

• French Presidency conference on services and networks of the information society, internet and media - Paris, 9 September 2008

• The OECD Ministerial Meeting on the Future of the Internet Economy, June 2008 adopted a Ministerial Declaration on the future Internet economy.

• Conference on the future of the Internet from a research perspective, March 31-April 2, 2008, organised by the Slovenian Presidency, www.fi-bled.eu

• Round table on the future of networks and the Internet, held on 28 November 2007 in Brussels: the Commission invited industry and civil society for an exchange of views with representatives from the i2010 High Level group and from industry and civil society.

• The future of the Internet is a specific theme within the FP7 framework: http://www.future-internet.eu/