Introduction

In preparing the Forum's first annual report, the working group has largely concentrated on the issues of sustainability and on technology and infrastructure. The aim has been to analyse the two issues in terms of the interaction between sustainable development and the use of the Information and Communications Technologies (ICT).

In particular, three major items were addressed by three rapporteurs: sustainability issues by Professor Radermacher, "From Hard to Soft" by Professor Chryssolouris and infrastructural developments by Mr R Bomer and Professor Chryssolouris. The report reflects the contributions of these rapporteurs and the Group's discussions on a draft report prepared by the Chairman, Mr Carrelli.

The main points of discussion

As is widely known, the concept of sustainable development derives from a growing awareness that "current generations should meet their needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs" (that is, without causing resource depletion, environmental destruction and extreme energy consumption).

The Maastricht Treaty has endorsed the principle of a harmonious and balanced development of economic activities, sustainable and non-inflationary growth while respecting the environment.

The concept of sustainable development is linked to the development of an Information Society in an important way. Only information and communication technologies offer major opportunities for reducing material use and for a less "resource-intensive" lifestyle.

Societies face a choice between achieving sustainability or managing chaos, and a shift to the right sort of Information Society can be a major contribution to achieving sustainability. While it may also involve a shift in the balance of trade in favour of developing countries, Europe cannot hide behind protectionist barriers. The shift to sustainability must be worldwide, with Europe playing a leading role.

The "dematerialisation" flowing from the new technologies and related new forms of social and economic organisation may reduce the impact of the so-called "rebound effect" (erosion through increased consumption of savings made possible by technological innovation). Technological innovation offers the means to produce more value, more efficiently with less material resources. On the other hand, social innovation must also take place. Careful study is required because there are risks as well as benefits.

The shift from a hard, manufacturing and material-intensive economy to a soft, information-rich service economy will inevitably disrupt traditional industries. The goal must be to help all actors (workforce, industry and educational institutions) actively to contribute to shaping new models.

A key element will be the development of "information infrastructure" defined in the broadest sense as "a system of equipment for transport and diffusion of information for any type of application, including hardware, software, computers and programmes for network and service management."

The new information infrastructure will not be a single new network, superseding everything already existing. It will be a network of interconnected networks. It must ensure digital end-to-end connection and widespread access.

The basic components of the information infrastructure derive from at least three types of networks: telecommunications networks (traditional as well as alternative), terrestrial and satellite television broadcasting networks and the Internet. The existing networks will evolve, coexist, interconnect with each other and make the best use of available technology.

The lack of take-off services for the Information Society is not due to lack of infrastructure, but rather to lack of applications and slowness in developing a mature information culture.

The responsibilities of network operators, service providers and content providers will have to be clearly defined the Group has proposed a model for reference.

Technical aspects examined in the report cover the role of standards and aspects related to symmetry-asymmetry of bandwidth.

From the economic point of view, market demand is considered as the main driver for investment (at least in the long term), but it is recognised that the market will not guarantee access everywhere and a balanced trade-off between market pull and a policy-driven approach is recommended.

Since it is not commercially viable to deploy optical fibres everywhere, a middle ground approach should be explored based on the deployment of "telecentres" in each local community.

The concept of universal access and universal service obligation is analysed as an evolving phenomenon, because of both technological evolution and social dialogue.

The role of the regulatory framework must be investigated so as to promote investments in the new technologies and to help the development of new services at lower costs.

No doubt the possibilities offered by technical progress and ICT will help to fulfil the obligations of sustainable development. But infrastructure development is not sufficient in itself and there is a need to explore the economic and social implications of the Information Society, and not only its technological effects.

This need lay behind the creation of the Forum and the Commission should give it extra attention. Further studies should be promoted from the economic and social perspective as well as from the technological point of view.