Ministerial Conference "Internet of the Future"
- from: 06.10.2008
- to: 07.10.2008
- In: Nice Acropolis Hotel
The European Ministers for the Digital Economy have been invited by Eric Besson, the French Minister of State for the Development of the Digital Economy, to take part in the first European ministerial meeting on the issues surrounding the Internet of the Future in Nice on 6 October 2008.
The focus will be on the deployment of ultra-high broadband networks, on the creation of new services, as well as on trust, security and governance of tomorrow’s Internet. The French Presidency of the Council of the European Union plans to present its conclusions on these topics at the EU Telecoms Council on 27 November 2008.
The Internet has become a strategic infrastructure, playing a key role in the economy and society for the last ten years. The Internet is a powerful driver of innovation, growth and productivity worldwide and also provides opportunities that considerably improve social well-being. Over 1.5 billion people in the world currently use the network, to which another billion should be added within the next five years. These new future users will discover a very different network and new uses.
The Internet is at a turning-point in its development. Mobile internet and Radio Frequency Identification (RFID), among others, should soon lead to the creation of an “Internet of objects” with services which will support users in every activity. The services provided by tomorrow’s internet will expand in the future to other fields ranging from health, education, proximity services to energy management.
Europe has crucial assets which will enable it to become a leading region in the technologies and services of tomorrow’s Internet. Europe, for instance, already has one of the largest unified mobile telecommunications markets and a cultural, geographic informational heritage that is unique in the world. These combined assets could drive growth in services and jobs related to the mobile internet and the internet of objects in Europe.
However, the protection of Civil Liberties and Privacy will nevertheless have to be taken into account to facilitate the development of tomorrow’s Internet in line with the principles and values of EU citizens. The network’s security and stability have also become major concerns for companies and governments, and these issues now require enhanced international cooperation.
It is therefore opportune to bring together all internet stakeholders – industrials, policymakers, leaders of public organisations and associations – to promote the development of tomorrow’s Internet in Europe. This is the purpose of the conference “The Internet of the Future” held by the French Presidency of the Council of the European Union to be held in Nice on 6 and October next.
Agenda of the Ministerial Conference, Monday 6 October 2008
- Before 10:00: Arrival and welcome of the Ministers at the Nice airport. The transportation from the airport to the Nice Acropolis Congress Center will be organised by the French Presidency.
- 10:30 - 11.00: Arrival and welcome of the Ministers and their delegations at the Acropolis. An informal breakfast will be served to the Ministry delegations.
- 11 - 11:45: Opening of the Ministerial Conference (plenary session) - exchange of views
- 11.45-12.15: presentation on digital solidarity by Alain Madelin, President of the Global Digital Solidarity Fund (DSF)
- 12.15 - 12.45: Group Photo of the Ministers.
- 12.45 - 14.15: Lunch.
- 14:30 - 15.15: Press Conference.
- 15.15 - 16.15: Plenary session on networks and services of the future
- 16.15 - 17.15: Plenary session on security and governance of the internet of the future.
- 17.30-18.00: final conclusions (plenary session)
Office of the Minister of State for the Development of Digital Economy
Juliette Lafont: juliette.lafont@pm.gouv.fr
Press contact: Valentine Mary-Chamoin: valentine.mary-chamoin@pm.gouv.fr
- Updated: 06.10.2008
