TEN-Telecom Call 2001/2 -OJ 2001/C 309/07

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TEN Telecom

 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 Programme’s 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.