The committee adopted the draft recommendation for second reading by Mr Norbert GLANTE (PSE, D) concerning the guidelines for the development of the EURO-ISDN (Integrated Services Digital Network). This network provided telephone, fax and videotext services as well as file transfer, although, within the context of the information society, most consideration was given to future broadband networks. Nevertheless, as the rapporteur pointed out, the ISDN already made it possible to transmit data at high speeds. Its use should be encouraged in order to extend the market for terminals and applications software, with a view to bringing down costs.
Furthermore, the development of the industry and of European operators compared to their American competitors was a factor that should be exploited to enable the creation of new jobs in this sector.
The amendments adopted by the Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs highlighted the universal nature of this network, which should be accessible to both SMEs and large companies.
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