Series of guidelines for trans-European telecommunications networks

OBJECTIVE: to lay down guidelines on the objectives, priorities and main thrust of the measures proposed in the field of trans-European telecommunications networks. COMMUNITY MEASURE: European Parliament and Council Decision 1336/97/EC on a package of guidelines for trans-European telecommunications networks. CONTENT: under the terms of the decision, the Community is to grant financial support for the interconnection of networks in the field of telecommunications infrastructures, for the establishment and development of interoperable services and applications and for access to the latter, with the following objectives: - to facilitate the transition to the information society, primarily with a view to meeting social needs and improving the quality of life; - to improve competition between undertakings and to strengthen the internal market; - to reinforce economic and social cohesion; - to accelerate the development of activities in the new growth sectors of job creation (such as multimedia and electronic information services). The following priorities have been accepted: - Applications : network linking universities and research centres; distance learning; telematics and health; telematics and transport; telematics and the environment; teleworking; telematics in the service of SMEs; networks for public administration; electronic tendering procedures; urban information highways; library access services; telematic services for the job market; cultural and linguistic heritage; - Generic services : installation of generic trans-European services (electronic mail, file transfer, access to data bases, video services); gradual extension of generic services to a multimedia environment; introduction of the non-specific electronic signatures as a basis for the supply of open services and mobile applications; - Basic network: ISDN; commercial introduction of ATM networks (asynchronous transfer mode) and other wide-band networks; interconnection of existing networks and wide-band communication networks; development of fixed, mobile and satellite networks; The decision provides for an exhaustive list of priority projects to be drawn up from among those of common interest. This comprises generic services (European directories, trans-European 'kiosks', electronic signatures, etc.), applications of collective interest in the field of distance learning, services to SMEs and telematics in the fields of transport, the environment, health and culture. The applications must take account of linguistic needs and the specific needs of less developed regions. They must target user groups which are as large as possible and demonstrate ways in which citizens can access services of collective interest. �