EUROPE: Radical new ICT approach needed

The European Commission has launched a major consultation about the development of information and communications technology in the EU following indications that Europe is slipping further behind in the global technology race. The consultation runs until 7 November (see: www.europa.eu) and is part of Brussels' far-reaching response to the so-called Ahu report issued this summer, which identified a number of key failings in European ICT research and innovation.

Among other things, the report, drawn up by a team headed by former Finnish Prime Minister Esko Ahu, noted that less than a quarter of R&D in the EU was accounted for by ICT compared with about one third in all developed countries. And while the EU represented 32% of the global ICT market, European firms secured only 22% of market share.

The result is that there will be a new strategy for ICT research and innovation launched next year. Viviane Reding, the EU commissioner responsible, said, "ICT is the primal force for innovation and development in the global economy, which is why Europe must attract investments in ICT research and development and the best minds and ideas."

Brussels wants the experts to help it identify weaknesses, strengthen areas where it already leads the world (telecommunications and audiovisual systems and in application areas such as intelligent cars and medicine), and lay out public and business research policies for the commercialisation of research. Linked to this is a call by the commission to cut red tape and introduce greater flexibility, particularly in bringing the fruits of research to the marketplace.

"We consistently fail to commercialise research results" said Reding. "We need less administrative red tape and risk-aversion and a more proactive policy environment. EU ICT research must be turned into growth, jobs and competitiveness. For this to happen we need a single market approach to ICT research and innovation. We did this with in mobile phones. We can do it again."

alan.osborn@uw-news.com