Éric Besson, Secretary of State to the French Prime Minister, has unveiled ‘Digital France 2012’, the country’s action plan for the development of the Digital Economy.

This action plan seeks to place once again France among the pioneer countries in the field of digital technologies. It therefore proposes over 150 actions structured around four core priorities, listed as follows:

• to enable all citizens to access all digital networks and services;
• to develop the production and supply of digital contents;
• to increase and diversify the use of digital services by companies, public administrations and citizens;
• to modernise the governance of the Digital Economy.

Among other planned measures, focus is placed on the development and the availability of the infrastructure for everyone, over the entire territory, with a set target of 100 % access to fixed broadband Internet in the near future. Moreover, the plan sets out actions aimed at deploying the very high-speed broadband infrastructure.

Another key element of the plan lies with digital contents. The transition to digital TV will allow for the sharing of quality frequencies through which new Internet services will be made available, thus creating new opportunities for the businesses involved in the provision of such services. The plan furthermore provides for actions aimed at promoting the use of digital contents and services by all citizens and companies.

In the context of continuous development of eGovernment applications and services, the enhancement of digital trust stands as a priority aspect of the plan. It therefore provides for the deployment, as of 2009, of an electronic identity card (eID) on the basis of a highly secured eSignature standard. In addition, the eID card is meant to facilitate the direct participation of citizens in the public decision-making process (e.g. online consultations and petitions). Likewise, several measures are foreseen in order to fight cyber crime.

As regards the governance of the Digital Economy, the plan recommends to establish an inter-ministerial delegation bringing together the respective human and financial means that are currently dispersed in ten ministries. The aim is to create a structure which would have the sufficient overview to prepare a global strategy for tackling common challenges. The ‘National Delegation for Digital matters’ is scheduled to be set up on 1 January 2009.

Presenting the plan, Mr. Besson said “This plan is only the first floor of the digital house we want to build.” He invited the public to express their comments and suggestions via the website of Digital France 2012.


Further information:

• Website of Digital France 2012 (in French) 
• ‘Digital France 2012 – Development Plan for the Digital Economy’ in the ePractice Library