Every European Digital': The Challenge of Bridging the Broadband Gap

For more information about attending the event, or if you are interested in finding out more about opportunities to become involved, please contact Dan Craft on dan.craft@forum-europe.com / +44 (0) 2920 783021.

Speakers to include:

Neelie Kroes, European Commissioner for Digital Agenda

Johannes Hahn, European Commissioner for Regional Policy

Danuta Hübner MEP, Member, European Parliament
Edit Herczog MEP, Member, European Parliament
Dr Rudolf Niessler, Director for Policy Co-ordination, DG REGIO, European Commission
Harald Gruber, Head of ICT and Economy Division, European Investment Bank

With discussions focusing on:
Achieving Broadband for All by 2013
The ambitious Digital Agenda for Europe aims to bring broadband Internet to all, even to people living in isolated areas, by 2013. What is the significance of the targets, where are we now, and how important is it that they are met? What concrete steps now need to be taken, and how can we come closer to achieving this objective? Wireless broadband will be crucial to the provision of fast Internet for all, and hopes are high for the upcoming European Radio Spectrum Policy Programme. What role can terrestrial and satellite broadband play to maximize the benefits for consumers and industry?

The Importance of Broadband for Regional Development
Broadband also plays a crucial role in regional development, for businesses, the public sector and communities. What are the socio-economic benefits, and how can these be maximised to achieve the most significant economic and social impact, growth and productivity? 150 million Europeans - some 30% - have never used the Internet and between 10 and 20 million have either no Internet access at all or poor access. How can the challenges of e-Inclusion best be met?

Funding Broadband For All
Perhaps the biggest challenge of all is enabling broadband in rural and isolated communities, with the costs of building new infrastructures being high, and population densities being low. What alternatives are available, how quickly can they be deployed, which solutions make best use of available funds? How can regional and other funding programmes best leverage more private investment, and how can broadband be made more affordable for the rural poor?