Objectives:
This Thematic
Network aims to build a strategic RTD roadmap developing an Information
and Communication Technologies vision which will ensure the economically
and technically feasible deployment of information and communication
solutions for rural areas (including also maritime regions and islands).
 |
The project
will analyse: trends in technology development of equipment
needed and foreseen; deployment of services which integrate
the equipment; and knowledge management development which
will allow the integration of the above for the globalised
rural work and life environment.
The Thematic
Network will analyse different scenarios of joint public and
private initiatives and business models to be constituted
in the near future. RURAL WINS solution will lower the discriminatory
gap nowadays existing between rural and urban areas as regards
broadband accessibility and applications deployment.
|
As a result a
broad constituency will have been formed around the proposed Information
Society business models.
Specific attention
needs to be paid to maritime regions which are neither urban nor rural
areas but which share some of the ICT deployment obstacles of rural
areas.
The project will
compare alternative business models based on the need to deliver voice,
broadband internet and marketplace applications specifically oriented
to solve the problems and to exploit the opportunities of the rural
economy.
As a result a
broad constituency will have been formed around the proposed Information
Society business models. A report will be delivered containing the
findings of the work done:
-
Information
and communications technology trends (what will happen in a five
and ten years scope) as regards the technologies affecting the rural,
island and maritime sector.
-
Socioeconomic
impact of these trends in all types of rural areas. The main applications
to be analysed could be: eInclusion applications (including eGovernment,
eHealth, CyberCommunities, etc), eBusiness, New Business opportunities
(Teleworking, Tourism, delocalisation of AgriFood Industries, etc),
Food safety and eLearning and eCulture.
-
Propositions
for (private, public, public-private) business models to overcome
discriminatory status.
-
Proposition
to create a large constituency group working in this field.
