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Call for
Proposals 2001/ 2 |
The TEN-Telecom Programme of
the European Community is strongly focused on public services, particularly in
areas where Europe has a competitive advantage. It aims to accelerate the take
up of services to sustain the European social model of an inclusive, cohesive
society. The eEurope mission of "an information society for all" is at
the very heart of the Programmes objectives. It promotes public interest
services which give every citizen full opportunity to gain from e-Society,
bridging the digital divide which threatens to create an information
underclass.
TEN-Telecom provides
assistance in the critical launch phase of a service, so that investors or
public authorities can make informed decisions before the launch of service,
based on thorough analysis of the economics involved.
TEN-Telecom can provide up
to 10% of the investment required to bring a service into full operation. In the
initial launch phase when the business or investment plan is being developed, up
to 50% of the costs can be met. This first phase, when assumptions about the
operating costs and the potential revenues or savings are put to the test, is
vital to the successful operation of a service.
In line with the Community
policy of European cohesion, TEN-Telecom has a role to play, working with public
agencies and other actors, to extend services to encompass constituencies of
users which might otherwise be marginal to their operations. For example,
providing access for disabled users or services in geographically remote or
sparsely populated areas. The Programme also supports services aimed at the
socially isolated or disadvantaged, enabling them to fully participate in
society.
In conclusion, TEN-Telecom
makes a major contribution to bringing services of societal interest from the
conceptual stage into full operation.
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