POLICY :: Next Generation Internet > Mobile Internet (archived)
This page was archived when this portal was restructured in early 2007. For up to date information, please visit the following sites:
- Pervasive and Trusted Network and Service Infrastructures, the first Challenge under ICT research in the Seventh Research Framework Programme (FP7, 2007-2013)
- IST Research under the Sixth Research Framework Programme (FP6, 2002-2006):
Internet in Motion
The mobile internet will allow users to access Information Society services without having to be tethered to a PC or digital TV. Apart from straight internet access, tt will also provide a range of new services to help organisations run more efficiently and to entertain and educate people.
The latest mobile communications technologies all allow high-speed, mobile internet access, opening up a landscape where users can communicate, read, listen, watch and work as they wish, wherever they wish, using mobile services personalised to their interests and even physical location.
This opens up immense possibilities in areas as diverse as organisational logistics, e-government, news and entertainment. The new landscape could provide all organisations with a keener competitive edge, allowing employees to work more effectively in a wider range of environments, and will generate new opportunities for software and content developers.
While this page focuses specifically on the development of the mobile internet, EU policies and activities in the overall mobile communications sector are covered in the Mobile Communications theme. See also Roadmaps for 3G for an overview of EU policy towards '3G' mobile communications.
Mobile Content and Services
By stimulating demand, mobile content and services are essential to the successful roll out of the mobile internet and mobile communications in general.
The eEurope 2005 Action Plan, for example, is encouraging Europe’s public sector to provide eGovernment services over all platforms, including mobile services. With many more people using mobile phones than PCs, ‘m-government’ could therefore both stimulate the 3G sector and make public services available to more Europeans.
The Public Sector Information Directive, which makes it easier for companies to access the vast quantities of information held by the public sector, is therefore crucial.
See also:
- the eContent Programme's Digital Content for Global Mobile Services report (2001);
- the Information Society Industry > Content theme.
Research & Development
The IST research activities funds projects tackling the various technological challenges inherent in developing these services. Strategic Objectives under the current programme focus on:
- developing applications and services for the mobile user and worker which can be seamlessly accessed and provided anywhere, anytime and in any context, via interoperable mobile/wireless technologies and the convergence of fixed and mobile communication infrastructures;
- Cross-media content for leisure and entertainment: technologies which allow content and services to be delivered to different users in different environments, including mobile users;
- communication and software technologies underlying the mobile
internet, notably:
- Mobile and wireless systems beyond 3G: developing the technologies underlying the vision of "Optimally connected anywhere, anytime";
- Multimodal interfaces and Advanced displays, both essential to developing user experiences which make the most of the mobile environment;
- the adoption of version 6 of the new Internet Protocol: see Next Generation Internet > IPv6
Under the previous Programme, some 11 research projects were launched under the Mobile initiative, targeting 2.5G and 3G services and applications in areas such as:
- info-mobility services: car navigation, fleet tracking, travel and tourist information, etc, all of which can greatly benefit from public sector information;
- personal healthcare and social services, including remote monitoring and assistance services, mobile access to patient records, and m-prescriptions.
- m-commerce, m-business and mobile work, including micro-payments for goods and services, mobile ticketing, mobile banking, mobile office applications, as well as professional services such as logistics and maintenance. Major concerns here are security, privacy protection and usability.
- mobile infotainment applications, such as messaging services, audio and video streaming, games, directory services, sports, news, weather forecasts, etc.
Updated 11 March, 2004.
DG Information Society