Telecommunications: trans-European networks, guidelines (rev. Decision 1336/97/EC Annex I)

PURPOSE: To revise Annex I of Decision 1336/97/EC setting out guidelines for the trans-European telecommunications networks. CONTENT: On the basis of technological developments and experience gained over the intervening years the European Commission is expected to propose and where necessary update the established guidelines on the trans-European telecommunications networks. The proposed revision of the guidelines are based on a Report submitted to the Commission by the Court of Auditors on the telecommunications networks as well as a Report submitted by independent expert evaluators. Existing guidelines are set out in Annex I of Decision No 1336/97/EC. Based on the conclusion of both these Reports, the Commission proposes the following amendment to Annex I: - Greater emphasis should be given to the trans-European dimension of Annex I through an explicit definition thereof. - A greater distinction between the TEN-Telecom and that of the Information Society Technologies programme should be made whilst at the same time seeking innovative solutions aimed at offering a sound service to public authorities; - Greater emphasis should be given to the eEurope initiative; - The list of areas covered by the guidelines will be reduced whilst at the same time support for research infrastructures will be withdrawn as well as support for generic content services such a translation and speech recognition; - Greater emphasis will be given to the promotion of eGovernment and eAdministion on a local, regional and national level in areas with a significant trans-European value. Support will be given to the interconnection and interoperability of networks underpinning the operation of a specific application or service; - Third generation mobile technologies will receive greater support; - In terms of network security the guidelines will allow for the strengthening of security through the co-ordination of national initiatives on a European level; - In areas of public interest where there are intrinsic barriers caused by cultural differences, in particular languages, the Commission proposes increasing the EU's financial contribution to, at the highest level, 20% of the total investment. Financial considerations will be dealt with under a separate amendment to the TEN financial Regulation.�