Latest News
- PRESS RELEASE
- Digital Agenda: Commission reviews Member States' protection against cyber attacks
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(1 April 2011) In a report taking stock of progress made in implementing its EU-wide 2009 action plan, the European Commission praises Member States' efforts to protect critical information infrastructures from cyber attacks and disruptions. However, the report underlines that further action in this area is required, notably to establish an efficient network of Computer Emergency Response Teams (CERTs) by 2012. Cyber security and the protection of critical information infrastructures are vital for people and companies to trust the internet and other networks and are a key priority of the Digital Agenda for Europe.
- PRESS RELEASE
- Commission seeks information from 16 Member States on their implementation of Audiovisual Media Services Directive
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(29 March 2011) The European Commission has written to 16 Member States seeking information about their implementation of the Audiovisual Media Services (AVMS) Directive. The Commission has asked the Member States to reply within 10 weeks. The fact-finding letters are part of the Commission's efforts to ensure that the national media laws of all Member States correctly implement all aspects of the AVMS rules. The issues raised vary from one Member State to the other. The requests for information do not imply that the Directive has been incorrectly implemented by the Member States concerned but simply that, at this stage, the Commission has some outstanding questions concerning their implementation of the Directive.
See also: Background memo with specific issues
- PRESS RELEASE
- You name it! The race is on to name the new EU Research and Innovation Programme
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(28 March 2011) Researchers, engineers, entrepreneurs, innovators, students and other creative individuals have until 10 May to suggest a relevant, appealing and catchy name for the new EU research and innovation programme which will be introduced post-2013. The competition launched by the European Commission today is linked to the ongoing stakeholder consultation on the Commission's Green Paper on the new programme, which will be at the core of the Innovation Union initiative and of the Europe 2020 Strategy. The Commission is proposing a smarter way to support researchers and innovators in Europe - so as to further boost excellence and to help ensure that good ideas reach the market and generate sustainable economic growth and new jobs. The new programme will be based around a "Common Strategic Framework" with different types of funding brought together in a coherent and flexible manner. This will make it possible to better align research funding to addressing global challenges and to making a central contribution to the EU's overall Europe 2020 strategy. Needless red tape will be cut out and participation made simpler. So the Commission is looking for a new name and enlisting the help of distinguished judges to draw up a shortlist of possibilities from the suggestions received. Those will then be put to an online vote.
- CALL FOR PROPOSALS
- ICT-PSP 5th Call - Objective 1.2 "ICT for energy efficiency in public buildings"
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(Deadline: 01/06/2011) The CIP ICT-PSP 5th call for proposals is now open until 1 June 2011. ICT PSP aims at stimulating innovation and competitiveness through wider uptake and best use of ICT by citizens, governments and businesses. Objective 1.2 on "ICT for energy efficiency in public buildings" intends to improve energy efficiency in European public buildings through ICT-based solutions. Several pilots will be funded up to the maximum budget allocated of 7 million euros. Pilot actions should aim to demonstrate that advanced ICT components and systems (e.g. smart metering, smart lighting, power electronics, energy micro-generation, etc.) can contribute directly to reducing energy losses and consumption in public buildings.
- NEWS ARTICLE
- European Commission launches a consultation on the eHealth Action Plan (eHAP) 2012-2020 (deadline 25/05 16:00 Brussels time)
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(31 March 2011) This second eHealth action plan (eHAP) provides an opportunity to consolidate the actions which have been addressed to date, take them a step further where possible and provide a longer term vision for eHealth in Europe, in the context the EU 2020 Strategy, the Digital Agenda for Europe as well as Innovation Union and its associated European Innovation Partnership on Active and Healthy Ageing. The consultation is open during 8 weeks.
Contact: eHealth@ec.europa.eu
See also: Link to the online questionnaire - eHealth Action Plan (eHAP) 2012-2020 - EVENT ANNOUNCEMENT
- EU Sustainable Energy Week
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12 April 2011 - 14 April 2011 Brussels, Belgium
The EU Sustainable Energy Week (EUSEW) is organised by the Executive Agency for Competitiveness and Innovation (EACI) on behalf of the European Commission's Directorate-General for Energy. 443 Energy Days across Europe and 133 events are organised in the heart of Brussels around the theme of energy efficiency and renewable energy sources in Europe. Like in the past years the Information Society and Media Directorate General of the European Commission contributes to the EU Sustainable Energy Week to raise visibility on the key role played by ICT in the Energy Efficiency field. A number of ICT for Energy Efficiency related conferences will take place in Brussels (see link below) Registration is required and the number of seats is limited (closing date 7 April).
See also: Further information on the recommended sessions and direct links to registration pages
- NEWS ARTICLE
- Latvia commits to eCall
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(31 March 2011) Today the eCall Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed by Latvia. Uldis Augulis, Latvian Minister of Transport, signed the eCall MoU in the presence of Zoran Stancic, Deputy Director-General, European Commission, Information Society and Media Directorate General. Latvia is the 21st Member State to sign the eCall MoU. By its signature, Latvia commits itself to support the timely implementation of eCall, the pan-European accident notification system. In the event of a serious car accident, the eCall system automatically dials 112 and calls the nearest emergency centre. It thus informs the rescue services about the accident and transmits the exact location of the accident scene to them.
Contact: Thomas R. Haub, Communication Officer "ICT for Transport"
See also: The Commission's latest press release on Member States joining eCall - EVENT ANNOUNCEMENT
- Cutting edge research on highly automated driving: Final Event of EU-funded research project HAVEit
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21 June 2011 - 22 June 2011 Boras, Sweden
After 3,5 years of intensive research in highly automated driving, HAVEit, the major EU-funded research project, will hold its final event in Boras, Sweden, on 21 June 2011. Automated driving could support drivers considerably, increase traffic safety and reduce the environmental impact of road transport. The project will demonstrate its findings using passenger cars, trucks and a bus.
Contact: Thomas R. Haub, ICT for Transport press officer
See also: More Framework Programme 7 ICT-based road transport projects - EVENT ANNOUNCEMENT
- Conference on the future of the Audiovisual Industry
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19 April 2011 - 20 April 2011 Budapest, Hungary
The overall aim of the event is to provide a forum for discussions about key elements of the online content industry's competitiveness, such as copyright, business models and social and cultural aspects, including archives in the digital era, by bringing together decision-makers and stakeholders. Finding the right balance between increasing market competition and sustaining cultural diversity shall be in the focus of the event. The conference also provides an outstanding opportunity to present challenges related to social issues: accessibility to digital content (citizens) and the increase of the number of digitally literate people with the help of audiovisual tools.
- EVENT ANNOUNCEMENT
- Study "Towards a Future Internet - Interrelation between Technological, Social and Economic Trends" - Impacts on the European Digital Agenda
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4 April 2011 Brussels, Belgium
The purpose of this workshop is to take stock from the findings of a 20-months study carried out by the Oxford Internet Institute for the European Commission. The study aims at understanding the interrelations between technological, social and economic aspects of the Future Internet. The conclusions of the study will be presented and discussed in the context of the Digital Agenda for Europe. In particular the workshop will look at how these conclusions could help to shape the next ICT workprogramme and overall research priorities.
- CALL FOR TENDERS
- Study on the future of European technology providers in the global telecommunications market - SMART 2011/0042
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(Deadline: 12/05/2011) This study aims at achieving two interrelated objectives. The first objective is to provide a detailed qualitative and quantitative analysis of the ongoing trends of the worldwide telecommunications infrastructure market regarding the restructuring of the sector supply and value chains, as well as the evolution of the demand. The analysis of the supply and value chains should encompass the equipment and service components level, and take into account the whole telecommunications network ecosystem. The increasing importance of the integration of technological innovations in order to deliver new systems and new types of services should also be considered. As a second objective, with a view to contributing to EU innovation policies, the study should then strive to identify technical R&D challenges that European technology providers should take up in priority, in order to develop or preserve a competitive advantage thanks to innovation. To this end, a comparative analysis of current R&D strategies adopted by main international competitors of the EU in the telecommunications sector should be undertaken.
Contact: infso-d1@ec.europa.eu
Reminders
- EVENT ANNOUNCEMENT
- Eris@ Annual conference 2011
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12 April 2011 - 14 April 2011 Krakow, Poland
This year's conference will focus on progress with regional deployment and uptake of broadband. The event is organised by Eris@, an association of European regions who want to accelerate the impact of ICT on the quality of life of their citizens, business profitability and government processes.
Contact: info@erisa.be
ICT 2011 Proposers' Day - Budapest, 19-20 May
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