Description (short summary):
The Ministry of Enterprise, Energy and Communications, Government Offices of Sweden commissioned this report as part of its contribution to facilitating the ongoing debate on ICT policy. The study was therefore designed to identify the most important policy questions that the EU faces with regard to ICT and the information society to around 2015. Overall the report seeks to:

• Provide a general focus for discussion of ICT policy in Europe, at a Swedish Presidency conference in November, with an analysis of the current situation, trends, developments and their potential consequences for the citizen, and for EU companies and governments, highlighting the key issues.
• Project forward the i2010 policy issues, seeking to update and identify new policy questions facing the EU up to 2015.
• Identify promotional and catalytic actions needed for delivery of a sustainable knowledge society.

Europe needs a clear, balanced ICT policy based on a full understanding of the policy issues and of the context in which they are addressed. A pragmatic strategy is needed for sustainable growth and prosperity so that Europe can respond to the main challenges ahead which include:

• Transforming Europe into the high skill/high employment economy needed in a globalised environment.
• Tackling the effects of an ageing population while improving the major services for the public.
• Doing so in a way that takes account of foreseeable public expenditure and environmental constraints.

Number of pages: 66