Development of ISDN as a trans-European network TEN-ISDN: multiannual Community action

Parliament adopted the report by Mr Delcroix on the proposal for a decision by the Council on the general objectives and multiannual Community action needed for the development of the ISDN as a trans-European network (TEN-ISDN). The integrated services digital network (ISDN) constituted "the key element of the European strategy on telecommunications networks" and was in fact the link between the existing telephone network and the future "information highways". The first of the Council's proposals for a decision laid down a global framework for the development of the ISDN with a series of objectives (harmonized infrastructure and services, geographic coverage in all Member States) and actions (elimination of bottlenecks, end-to-end interoperability of data communications networks, etc.) which were needed to achieve this network. The second proposal concerned the multiannual programme which was aimed at supporting projects of common interest relating to the development of the ISDN. This support should make possible the implementation of ISDN infrastructures and services with a view to ensuring the interconnection of networks and the interoperability of applications. The amendments adopted by Parliament sought to improve the detail of the two texts. In addition, the question of financing, which was hardly mentioned in the Commission's document, was the subject of amendments which proposed in particular that the infrastructures would be financed from Community funds, as well as from other sources. �