European politicians must recognise the importance of content and applications, whether they are provided by commercial or public services, and ensure that they are available not just through computer terminals but
also through mobile phones, televisions and other innovations, says Mr Erkki Liikanen, Europe's commissioner for enterprise and the Information Society at the start of aBarcelona summit today.
"While this development is mainly a function of the market, governments have a role to play since the public sector is the single largest holder and producer of content in Europe. I intend to table draft legislation shortly to encourage wider use of such public-sector information for added value services"
the commissioner added, in an article in the Financial Times.
"Governments can make a big difference in the Internet society by making far greater use of online facilities and providing interactive public services. I am convinced that e-health, for example, can help us meet the challenges of rising expenditure and growing demand in an area of primary importance to Europe's citizens" according to Mr Liikanen.
He also stresses the importance of e-learing and the necessary availability of Internet access, for social and economic growth. Special needs for acces to the net or content must be dealt with, the commissioner feels.
Europe's earlier emphasis on technology and regulation may have been too dominant, and what users and citizens want are information and applications that simplify or improve their lives, according to the commissioner.
He also claims the so-called eEurope 2002 campaign, led by the European Union, has brought clear achievements, such as personal Internet penetration, that has doubled with four out of 10 European homes now online, and 90 per cent of schools.
Using benchmarks has given Europeans a clearer idea of where progress has been made, the commissioner thinks.

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