Web entrepreneurs represent a specific category of entrepreneurs who create new digital services and products that use the web as an indispensable component. They have specific characteristics, and thus particular needs, which require tailored support measures, aimed at strengthening, structurally, the web startup ecosystem.

Net-Tech Future Magazine is all about technologies that put ultrafast Internet connectivity at your fingertips. It sheds light on how communications technologies are shaping the future networks landscape, from developments in ultrafast broadband Internet to clever mobile networks, from network infrastructure and architecture to green technologies. With each EU-funded project showcase, it gives a glimpse not only of the ‘what’ but a little of the ‘how’ and ‘why’, and even ‘what next’ so you can see how these developments can make a difference to you, your organisation and your community.

Further to the adoption of the EU electronic communications reform package in November 2009 the Commission produced a collection of relevant texts concerning the new rules. This collection of texts is now available online and could be a useful resource for those concerned with the application of law in the electronic communications sector. The booklet includes a consolidated version of the electronic communications framework as amended in 2009, as well as other applicable rules, such as those related to frequency policy.

Many EU countries use electronic procurement (eProcurement) to make bidding for public sector contracts simpler and more efficient. However, these solutions are often implemented at national level only, withlimited coordination cross-borders. The European Commission’s pilot project PEPPOL (Pan-European Public Procurement Online) has recently successfully completed its first year of activities towards making electronic communication between companies and government bodies possible for all procurement processes in the EU.

This guide provides all stakeholders with user-friendly information on the different funding sources. It includes a description of each fund, advice for policy makers and an innovative Checklist and Scorecard. The Checklist and Scorecard allow potential beneficiaries to quickly identify exactly how they can access European funding at every stage of the development and implementation of a project.

"The Internet has profoundly changed our perception of society and our approach to everyday life. Today with billions of transactions streaming on the web, the Internet has certainly become the most powerful tool to share information" says Viviane Reding, European Commission for Information Society and Media in her preface to a new information brochure about state-of-the-art in research and policy developments on future networks and services. The publication presents the various ongoing European activities and future trends in network and service technologies.

The 7th Framework Programme provides financial support for transnational research for and by SMEs wishing to innovate and improve their competitiveness, by enhancing their investment in research activities to acquire new knowledge for growth in Europe’s knowledge-based economy. Four specific Programmes comprise the major building blocks of FP7, three of which have direct relevance for SMEs. These are: the Cooperation Programme which will promote collaborative research; the People Programme which will develop human potential; and the Capacities Programme which will strengthen research capacity. This publication is designed as a step-by-step guide showing SMEs exactly where and how they can obtain funding to help their businesses grow.

Now that the EU regulation on roaming is here, roaming costs are set to be considerably cheaper, up to 70% cheaper, for travellers within the European Union. This leaflet gives 10 tips to benefit from lower roaming charges as soon as possible.

Mobile television is a prime example of digital convergence, which can generate new business opportunities and benefit consumers. By bringing audiovisual content to personal mobile terminals, mobile TV is indeed at the cutting edge of high-value, innovative services. It unites personal mobile communications, one of the most dynamic European markets, and audiovisual content.

The switch over from analogue to digital broadcasting means freed-up radio spectrum – but how will these newly available frequencies be used? The PARTAKE project engaged leading Chinese organisations in standardisation and regulation initiatives which are of strategic importance to the audiovisual sector in Europe.

INSTINCT is paving the way for marketing mobile broadband and digital terrestrial TV services through a single handheld device. As such it is addressing the key European policy objective in this area: digital convergence.

Unfolding innovative interactive multimedia and audio-visual services for hand-held mobiles – this was the objective of Phenix, a project led by a Chinese-European consortium. Partners co-operated on the commercial, industrial and research aspects for a roll-out on the Chinese market.

The Research in Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technologies is included in a wide range of EU-funded projects concentrating on subjects within the area of Information and Communication Technologies.

The project PROMISE is developing an embedded "tagging" system that can record information on a product throughout its entire life cycle.

Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) can revolutionise processes as diverse as industrial production, transport logistics and businesss management. Control of what is happening and where, will be immediate. Costs of tracking, discovering and attending to a problem will be considerably lower than before. The European Commission is supporting several RFID research projects through the IST Framework Research Programmes. A short presentation of a few of them follows. For more complete information visit the indicated web sites.

The project CoBIs is developing a radically new approach to business processes by embedding "intelligent tags" within the products and physical equipment being used which enables them to interact and behave as "collaborative business items".

The publication contains the summaries of 40 experiences of regional innovation projects developed by regional authorities in different domains such as enterprise clustering, science/industry networking, delivering information and communications technology (ICT) service for citizens and many more. The case studies are part of the Commission's renewed strategy to proactively support the dissemination and exchange of good practices across the EU.

Intelligent biomedical clothes are a key element in the prevention and early detection of diseases. Smart fabrics with embedded sensors can monitor different aspects of the human body. Clothes made of such fabrics provide user-friendly ways of monitoring patients over extensive periods of time, thus reducing the need for doctors’ appointments and hospital visits. The data collected by the wearable sensors is transmitted electronically to telemedicine centres via fixed or wireless communication networks. Complete article on page 12 of Europe Direct newsletter n° 9.

Leaflet explaining the basics on the 7th Framework Programme and the ICT elements within it, the 7 key Research Challenges, the budget breakwdown, the i2010 Flagship Initiatives, the European Technology Platforms and Joint Technology Initiatives.

A short (16 page) brochure on the impact of Information and Communication Technologies on European employment, competitive ness and inclusion. Available in English.