09/10/2009sfera annual conference 2009 presentation of council main results rafael mompo european...

09/10/2009 SFERA Annual Conference 2009

Presentation of Council Main Results

Rafael Mompo

European University of Madrid (Laureate International Universities Group)

[email protected]

Improving the Deployment of Innovative Broadband Networks in European Regions


Agenda

• Revision of main issues in the seven position papers that have been addressed until now.– New position paper under development

• Proposal: The use of social networks like Facebook or Linkedin to be more in touch

• Final Remark: to put into practice a DEMAND AGREGATION action is really our next challenge

The Work in 2008 (3 position papers)

1. Strategic Agenda and Key Objectives for the Development of the ICT in the Regions by an efficient use of Structural Funds

2. Recommendations on Positive Policies for Supporting the Development of ICTs in Regions

3. Future Internet and European Economic Recovery Plan


The work in 2009 (4 position papers)

1. Successful Regional Strategies in Structural Funds Programming

2. Broadband Demand Aggregation: How to Implement this Principle at Pan-European level

3. Council Sustainability and Communication

4. Letter to Commissioner Neelie Kroes


ONE GENERAL STRATEGY PAPER

– 2008. Strategic Agenda and Key Objectives for the Development of the ICT in the Regions by an efficient use of Structural Funds


2008. Strategic Agenda and Key Objectives

• Aimed at explaining framework of this subject matter to all stakeholders:

– Ensure all of us are talking about the same thing– Understanding the use of structural funds for ICT

• Tactical Approach• Why is it feasible

– Understanding the Structural Funds basic policies• Today it is possible to use structural funds for innovation (including ICT)• Highlight possible strategies and tactics (cross-border, inter-regional, Trans-

national, Convergence Regions…) • Identify two tactical Iinstruments

– JASPERS. Technical assistance for major SF Projects– REGIONS FOR ECONOMIC CHANGE. Speed up the take-up of good

practices


2008. Strategic Agenda and Key Objectives

• And more…

– Challenges, Barriers and Strategic Agenda for Regions

1. The need of a NEUTRAL-TECHNOLOGY APPROACH

2. The need of a LOCALLY-OPERATING technical partner

3. The need for NEUTRAL FUNDING consideration (accept lower initial investment but higher operational costs – TOTAL COST OWNERSHIP)

4. The need of adapting COMPETITION POLICIES: let public funds finance broadband infrastructure and services… to avoid “Digital Divide to the Square”


TWO POLICY RECOMMENDATIONS POSITION PAPERS

– 2008. Recommendations on Positive Policies for Supporting the Development of ICTs in Regions (first ideas…)

– 2009. Successful Regional Strategies in Structural Funds Programming (evolving 2008 ideas to more mature proposals...)


POLICY RECOMMENDATIONS (1)

• A need for new PUBLIC POLICY actions at a EUROPEAN LEVEL– National strategies are necessary but not each

sufficient… because they cannot reach minimum critical masses

– National strategies should concentrate on stress local singularities…

– …. on top of widely harmonized actions at European level



• Right EU regulatory conditions would help operators include less developed regions within their scope– Lower network roll-out costs– If, at the end, there is no private interest investing….

• Identify such zones as “ZONES POR PUBLIC INTERVENTION”

• Let public institutions invest public funds in such zones



• Stronger promotion by local authorities on the need of broadband services and applications– Be pioneers in using broadband telecom services– A problem: how can a local authority deeply analyze which

actions should them take?• Promote operators, manufacturers, brokers, consultants who are

involved in developing solutions to combat digital divide

• Fund studies to help take the appropriate decisions

• Better if the above to actions are conducted at European level

• Local authorities can publish (on a voluntary basis) their plans on SFERA website (as a result demand aggregation would come in a natural way).

– If penetration ratio are lower in rural areas than urban areas… local authorities should intervene…



• Build policies from a thorough understanding of territorial features– Every region has a unique identity– Identify existing local/regional clusters of excellence– Create new ones– Build innovation policies adapted to territorial features



• Introduce multiple and flexible support measures for innovation (horizontal measures)– Funding entrepreneurial awareness and education

actions– Practical start-up company support



• Regional governments can use EU funding to experiment on sustainable innovation– Use Structural Funds to build a new culture of

innovation.– Foster innovation… but not sustain it. Help regional

companies to stand on their feet as soon as possible.– KEY ACTIONS:

• Encourage public-private partnerships• Change culture


POLICY RECOMMENDATIONS (¿MORE?)

• SFERA has been actively working with regional stakeholders to provide a critical analysis to better understand the Structural Funds management process and best practices to support ICT RTD as a priority for developing economies of regions.

• The experts of the SF-ICT Council are welcomed to enter these discussions, provide their insights and participate in future meetings.


THREE ANSWERS TO THE EU COMISSION

– 2008. Future Internet and European Economic Recovery Plan

– 2009. Letter to Commissioner Neelie Kroes NGA definition (please consider wireless is broadband...)

– (IN PROGRESS). 7th Framework Programme and the Structural Funds (please consider satellite communications as a strategic technology)


2008. FUTURE INTERNET

• The Council Position on the communication of the EU”Conclusions on Future Networks and Internet”. “A European Economic Recovery Plan”. Most important points1. Strengthen European participation in international

standardization organizations

2. Apply neutral technology approach

3. Comparisons of technological solutions based on TCO (Total cost of ownership)

4. Consider demand aggregation

5. Pre-commercial procurement. Set up procurement networks to facilitate the adoption of innovative solutions (include Broadband)


2009. LETTER ABOUT NGA DEFINITION

• New generation access networks are wired or wireless access networks….

• That way State aid rules could be applied to those access networks that are feasible to rural areas.


(POSITION PAPER IN PROGRESS). 7th Framework Programme and

the Structural Funds

• Despite of the remarkable advantages that SatCom may introduce in bridging the digital gap, it plays a minor role in the 7th Framework Programme and the Structural Funds: – Some years ago, satellite industries in Europe used to be

proactive and assumed the role that SatComs industry should have, anticipating the work and actively participating in R&D initiatives.

– However, things are changing and other regions of the world are taking the lead, becoming threats that need to be properly faced.


TWO “HOW” (how to do it) PAPERS

• 2009. Council Sustainability and Communication

• 2009. Broadband Demand Aggregation: How to Implement this Principle at Pan-European level


Council Sustainability and Communication

• The EC is very enthusiastic regarding the maintenance to the SF-ICT Council in a post project period– What is the most adequate funding model to be adapted? Which will be

the criteria adopted to select the members that may integrate a special body under the EC surveillance? Which other options are feasible to assure Council sustainability?

– Key factors:• Use social web 2.0 networks ( Facebook, Linkedin...)

• Organization based on WORKING GROUPS that are leaded by “INTEREST-DRIVEN”... that way the working group leader would perform some coordination work

• Involve in the Council the whole supplay chain

• Involve decision-makers in the work of the Council


DEMAND AGGREGATION

• Establishing a common definition for Aggregation of Demand and describing the main principles in which this concept should be based– How should this be implemented at Pan-European

Level? How can aggregation of demand be used as a tool within SFs policies and instruments?


Main Issues

• Demand Aggregation Must be Considered. A Forum where Region / Members States can put in common demand aggregation issues needs to be developed.

• Direct public funding is not the only available tool to bringing broadband to under-served areas. Demand aggregation policies can create a critical mass of users, exploit economies of scale and facilitate commercial investment.

• There is a potential for demand aggregation schemes across regions, in particular where satellite solutions are considered. Moreover, a pooling of many small activities in different Regions and Communities can be arranged in order to take full advantage of economy of scale and get better support for planning networks.


A PRACTICAL SOLUTION

1. AGREGATE THE DEMAND of several regions (across borders)– 3 regions at least– Forum to put in common demand aggregation

2. Join funding capacity of such regions (i.e. under the Structural Funds scheme)

– Common SF Operational programs are not needed– This group will be the “DEMAND SIDE”

3. As a consortium, purchase broadband hybrid satellite/wireless services

– Satellite operators coordinate the deployment of the service, with partnership of at least one regional telecom operator (this group will be the “OFFER SIDE” )

– Each region pays for the service that actually receives (long term contracts ensure operator’s return of investment, that is, BUY capacity instead of renting it)

– Capacity is shifted from one area to another, when needed


09/10/2009sfera annual conference 2009 presentation of council main results rafael mompo european...

Documents

sfera annual conference

european regions

sfera website

challenge slide

structural funds programming

strategic agenda

new public policy actions

convergence regions