on the rapid development of communications and IT technologies as well as on telecom markets liberalization. In a global society undergoing a significant transformation process in the beginning of the 3rd millennium,
concentrated round the creation of an information society for all by extending the access and use of Internet,
of Internet benefices depends more and more on Internet high speed access availability for citizens and companies,
The current strategy is based on data in the Diagnosis Analysis Report on communication services in broadband (Roland Berger 2006)
and on those supplied by the National Authority in Communications concerning coverage with electronic broadband communications. 5 I. 1 Definition of the broadband communication concept Broadband, beyond its lexical or technical definition, irrespective of the transmission means (cable, radio,
only if it is interpreted as a set of technological opportunities that allow rapid transmission of a huge volume of data,
which is based only on the quantitative dimension of the Internet connections, emphasizing the transfer speed of 144 kbps as a threshold for delimiting connections in broadband as compared to those in narrowband.
In order to monitor the development of broadband access availability we must complete the general definition with quantitative indicators that can be changed gradually depending on the demand modification at the level of the end-user,
the different development levels, the level of coverage with infrastructure networks as well as the difference as concerns the applications popularity.
by means of a multitude of available technological options, ensures permanent access to Internet, at a transfer speed of at least 1 Mbs (value increasing progressively) and a monthly availability degree of at least 98,
%providing the maximum interactivity and access degree to the full on-line applications and digital content possible to be accessed by Internet.
and digital content possible to be accessed by Internet. 6 The value of the transfer speed of minimum 1 Mbs is applied to connections on broadband for the residential segment,
into consideration the data in the table above and the fact that there must be a clear definition of areas where access to electronic broadband communications is limited due to different circumstances,
000 inhabitants at most, where at least one internet services provider is present. I. 2 Anticipated advantages for the development of broadband communication services Benefits of broadband communication access do not materialize by means of activities performances.
implies an exchange of specialized info globally distributed, access to specific applications and large data traffic generators.
Motorola, Nokia or Ruwel in research-development centers in Romania are relevant for illustrating the potential of research-development sectors and ICT in Romania.
The interconnectivity between the business environment and that of digital communications is still at an initial stage,
Thus, we can develop data basis (e-Tourism, e-Culture), that favor the development of the digital content of cultural type, including in tourism field by introducing necessary info for promoting national attractions thus contributing to the growth of Romanian values and of the number of tourists.
of transmitting data and answering in electronic format as well as of giving useful info as regards certifications and authorizations (e 10 Gouvernment and e-Administration) and rendering efficient the public health services by setting
up data basis nationally concerning health of patients in hospitals and at the level of medical clinics (e-Health) and developing telemedicine services that lead to a permanent monitoring of patients with heart diseases
For small, rural and isolated communities, broadband communications development can favor economic and social integration by facilitating access to goods and new, superior services as well as participating facilities in digital economy or information society.
CURRENT SITUATION ANALYSIS II. 1 Overview on the existing situation on broadband communication services market During the last two years we noticed a remarkable evolution at the level of electronic communications market as regards internet services providing.
technological development led to a significant diminish of costs for purchasing personal computers and the information available at the level of internet networks as well as the continuous development of services using as support the internet created a trend for young people and even a way of life.
All this made possible this significant growth of internet access connections and especially broadband communications over such a short period of time.
Statistical data concerning electronic communication market in Romania in the first half of 2008, reported by providers to the National Authority for Communications,
indicate an annual rhythm of growth of broadband access connections to internet. According to data reported by internet providers
in June, 2008, in Romania, there were approximately 2, 27 million broadband access connections to the internet provided at fixed points, with 760,000 more than in the similar period of 2007 (1, 51 millions) and 1,
42 millions broadband access connections to the internet provided on mobile points, with 420,000 more than the corresponding period of 2007 (1 million).
Table 1: Dynamics of the total number of access connections to the internet, depending on the connecting means
and access speed during 30.06.2006-30.06.2008 Source: ANC Indicators 30.06.06 31.12.06 30.06.07 31.12.07 30.06.08 Fixed points connections Broadband access connections at fixed points (dial-up ISDN access, dedicated access
for internet access and f mobile phone users on subscription basis with internet access by EDGE, CDMA, EV DO, 3g50 Narrowband access connections at mobile points subscriptions for internet access and mobile phones users
GPRS Broadband access connections at mobile points prepaid cards for internet access and mobile phone users on prepaid cards with access to internet by EDGE, 3g12 Narrowband access connections
at mobile points mobile phone users on prepaid cards basis with access to the internet by GPRS43 abs. mil) abs. mil) abs. mil) abs. mil) abs. mil
Dynamics of the number of broadband access connections to the internet provided at fixed points,
Abs evol. mil(%)Total no. of broadband access connections to the internet at fixed points out of which:
c1 (standard radio connections (FWA type) c2 WI-FI connections c3 Wimax connections c4 Other types of radio connections d) xdsl (metal
%The greatest value in the total number of dedicated access internet broadband connections at fix points still belongs to the UTP/FTP cable connections (52,5),
Structure of the total number of dedicated access internet connections, depending on the support used, on 30.06.2008 Source:
ANC Coaxial cable Fiber optics xdsl UTP/FTP cable Other supports*radio access, satellite access, access rent lines 13 Data published by the European commission show that,
broadband internet development continued at EU level with an increase of 19,23%during July 2007-July 2008.
reduced use of personal computers (only 35%of the households have access to a PC), a reduced coverage of electronic broadband communication services (30%of the population lives in cities with no coverage of broadband communication services) and low
Evolution of the penetration rate of broadband internet dedicated access connections during 31.12.2003 30.06.2008 Source:
ANC 31.12.2003 31.12.2004 31.12.2005 31.12.2006 31.12.2007 31 12.2008 Total no. of broadband internet dedicated access (mil) Penetration rate for 100 inhabitants66(%)Number broadband
internet dedicated access provided to clients, natural persons (mil) Penetration rate for 100 households67(%)0, 01 0, 10 0, 38 1, 09 1
0, 91 1, 69 1, 98 0, 04 1, 05 4, 34 12,49 23,02 27,04 66 Penetration rate for broadband internet
dedicated access for 100 inhabitants=no. of broadband internet dedicated access connections/Romania's population*100;
) 1 European commission country report 14 67 Penetration rate of broadband internet dedicated access connections for 100 households=no.
Of broadband internet dedicated access connections/no. of Romania's households*100; no. of households=7. 320.202 (source:
Evolution of the penetration broadband internet dedicated access connections during 31.12.2003 30.06.2008 Source: ANC Penetration rate for 100 inhabitants Penetration rate for 100 households Out of the total number of internet dedicated access connections a significant percentage belongs to natural persons
, approximately 87%,the remaining percentage, but not one to be neglected, is represented by connections of legal persons.
Structure of the total number internet dedicated access connections, depending on customers'category. Evolution during 30.06.2006-30.06.2008 Source:
ANC indicator 30.06.2006<128kbps=128kbps 31.12.2006<128kbps=128kbps 30.06.2007<128kbps=128kbps 31.12.2007<128kbps=128kbps 30.06.2008<128kbps=128kbps Total no. of internet dedicated
, 0007 1, 98 0, 0004 0, 29 As concerns the market of internet dedicated access connections at the level of institutions and companies,
Internet dedicated access connections depending on the type of infrastructure, existing in companies and institutions Source:
most companies and institutions (86%)where we have dedicated internet access connection, have unlimited subscriptions with monthly traffic,
According to data provided by ANC for the next period companies and institutions intend to purchase a broadband connection at high speed transfer, this intention belonging to small companies for a value of 16-17%and at a smaller value than 9%for big companies with more than 50 employees.
Penetration in ascending tendency of mobile phone (123%coverage; High penetration rate of CATV networks (75%coverage;
Ascending tendency of competitivenes on major segments; The range of available technological solutions in ascending tendency;
Long distance data transportation networks are developed well; The purchase cost terminals (PCS, laptops, mobile phones, mobile smartphone, etc) is rather low as compared to previous years Weak points Low penetration
and use rates of the internet as compared to the average at European level; Major differences between penetration rates of broadband networks in the urban and rural environment;
Access problems on local loop (implementation of unconditioned access on the local loop, the systematization process of local networks photographed from the plane);
and main category of beneficiaries Strategy's pillars Individuals Companies Public administration Ensuring access to broadband-penetration rate of PC at the level of the population-penetration rate of broadband connections
at the level of the population-penetration rate of computer at the level of companies-penetration rate of broadband connections at the level of companies-%of public administration computers with access to broadband connections-penetration
education and security (preconditions-the degree of digital alphabetization of the population-%of employees with experience in using computers
and Internet-the degree of digital alphabetization of the public administration Based on the objectives formulated before the elaboration of the strategy on the basis of a preliminary analysis (balanced development of infrastructure,
40 80 Access rate of broadband services at the level of the population 10,5 (2008) 20 100 Percentage of persons that use Internet for interacting with public authorities 2. 6
. 2 5 40 Rate of available computers at households level 26 (in 2006) 40 60 Percentage of persons that use the Internet for educational
We shall focus especially on extending the coverage area of broadband communication in disadvantaged areas.
These actions contribute to the achievement of preconditions for an extensive adoption of broadband connections to the Internet,
and instruments belonging to the information technology. 26 For meeting objectives regionally, the Working group shall contribute to implement the following measures:
-to collect and centralize statistical data related to the process of equipping the population with reception devices.
Observing the principle of functions separation regulation of broadband communication sector versus operation of telecommunication projects and effective implementation of demarches provisioned for in the strategy A higher degree of visibility of initiatives from the beneficiaries perspective,
of the industry, of associations and non-government organizations with attributions in the field of audiovisual and information technology All the measures aiming to meet the national strategy objectives,
Parliament of Romania Chamber of deputies COMMITTEE FOR INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND COMMUNICATIONS Third Parliamentary Forum on Shaping the Information Society ICT and the Global Economic crisis:
B. Europe Strategy 2020 Europe strategy 2020 designed for a period of 10 years focuses on developing a digital economy, the promotion of low-carbon, encouraging development of new products and modernizing
by creating a single market for digital, based on quickly and ultra-fast internet and interoperable applications,
universal access to much higher speed internet (30 Mbps or more) by 2020 and subscribing 50%or more of European households to over 100 Mbps Internet connection.
to stimulate investment in an open and competitive infrastructure for high-speed Internet and related services;
and services (i e. secure Web services in EU) to enjoy high levels of security and confidence, a balanced regulatory framework with well defined rights,
promote the access to the Internet for all the European citizens, in particular through measures to support skills and accessibility of digital services.
a European action plan for spectrum and technological neutrality of networks 2. Promoting the use of the Internet,
safety and trust through increased accessibility and electronic integration of all EU citizens, fostering innovation in small companies and protection of personal data. 5 3. European Charter of rights of electronic communications services users,
and to promote the development of mobile broadband as the proper solution for Romania, considering the intense progress of mobile telephony market.
Recent data (April 2010) provided by ANCOM show a 12.4%increase in the number of fixed broadband connections at the end of 2009 versus the same period of 2008, from 2, 5 to 2, 8 million connections.
These preliminary data indicate a penetration rate of broadband fixed connections at 13.1%of the population and 34.2%of households at the end of last year.
In addition the active mobile broadband connections to access points dramatically increased with about 65%,from 1. 5 million at the end of 2008 to 2. 5 million connections at the end of 2009.
where there is no currently Internet service 7 providers. MCSI is the direct beneficiary of the funds.
MCSI promote projects on the development of broadband communications services, especially Internet services. A first step in this direction was made last year by installing 211 hotspots (wireless network providing free Internet service in a public area) in 34 counties.
In 2010 a number of 300 access points will be installed all over the country. 2. National strategy for implementation of universal service in electronic communications sector In Romania,
either the lack access to means of communication, where outside the coverage of electronic communications networks.
Ensuring until 31 december 2012 access to public telephone network, fixed point, for every citizen of Romania;
Ensure access to public pay telephones; Ensure equal conditions for disabled users. 8 The new strategy will focus on the development of both fixed
and mobile networks that can provide services at a fixed point. They will be funded from the universal service fund
There is a similar initiative of public consultation on a European level as to identify the best approach to ensure availability of basic telecommunications services for all EU citizens.
Current EU rules on universal service obligations in the telecommunications sector were settled back to 2002
and they guarantee citizens‘access to public telephone networks and services such as basic Internet access. The public consultation is meant to find out
whether to submit new proposals for legislation on universal service obligations in the telecommunications sector by the end of 2010.
The current concept of universal service has been created for traditional telecommunications services, through voice, but is this approach valid in today's dynamic digital environment?
and use basic telecommunications services? Broadband: A comprehensive coverage of broadband is crucial to boost growth and jobs in Europe.
But 23%of people living in rural areas have no access to fixed broadband networks. Principles of universal service should contribute to 9 meeting the EU"broadband for all
"or open market competition for telecommunications or other policy options would be more effective? A national flexibility and a coordinated approach at EU level:
stage of development of telecommunications markets, availability of broadband, the consumers adoption and governments reactions to so-called"digital division may vary considerably from one country to another.
There should be a financial contribution from the telecom sector to ensure universal coverage of broadband
ratio between program services with national coverage and the local, regional or thematic services Implementation of digital television services DVB-H, DVB-T HD-type and/or other
Presentation of the national radio frequency plan in order to implement 5 national digital multiplex in the UHF band, a national digital multiplex in the VHF band and some additional digital multiplex, local/regionally, depending on technical possibilities and in accordance
A first step has already been done by the national telecom authority (ANCOM) by setting frequency division multiplex in the GE06 plan
A. Government increased capacity to take decisions based on resources offered by Information Society Facilitate obtaining data,
and processing data, information and updated documents B. Streamline relations with public institutions Increased access to electronic public services Strengthening public confidence in electronic services Ensure protection of personal data Increased performance of public services
through electronic government Supporting decentralization processes C. Information Society Support Infrastructure and support services for the Information Society Dissemination of public and economic contents Increased use of electronic public services in education Adapting training to the needs of the economy Facilitating access to justice through electronic public services Tourism potential
and health through electronic public services D. International Context Improve information security Reassessment of host status for data Increased competitiveness
Law no. 455 of 18 july 2001 on Electronic signatures; Law no. 451/1 November 2004 regarding time mark;
Law nr. 677 of 21 november 2001 on Protection of Personal data Processing and free movement of such date, with subsequent Amendments;
Legislative Proposal to amend Law No. 92 of 1996 on organization and operation of the Special Telecommunications Service, with subsequent amendments,
This legislative proposal was initiated by the members of Committee for Information technology and Communications in the Chamber of deputies,
The Committee for Information technology and Communications in the Chamber of deputies discussed and elaborated some initiatives in collaboration with the Ministry such as:
-Draft Law on single database (national electronic registers)- Amendments to the Law nr. 161 of 2003,
INE and Datacomex. 1 Data available in December 2012. This table presents the available data for each indicator in the latest update of each source.
Population and territory The Autonomous Community of the Balearic islands is located in the Mediterranean sea along the eastern coast of the Iberian peninsula.
October 2012 data The unemployment rate in Balearic islands in 2011 (21,96%)is well above the European average (9, 70%)and the OECD countries (8, 20),
Key figures of the Information Society (2011) Indicator(%)Baleares España COMPANIES Companies with computer 98
4 98,6 Companies with Local area network 90,9 86,4 Companies with internet 97,9 97,2 Companies with broadband 99,5 99,4 Company to use e-commerce 58,7 51,4 Personal computer using 50,1
53,5 Staff using internet 42,7 43,8 Companies with website 66,6 67,0 Companies using digital signature 28,0 24,4 Employees who received ICT training 13,8 17,4 Net
sending completed forms 24,2 25 25,5 HOMES Households with computer 74,1 71,5 Households with Internet 69,0 63,9 Households with broadband 66,5 61,9 Households with mobile phone 96,0
95,1 TV households 99,6 99,5 Population using computer 68,0 69,3 Population accessing Internet 70,1 67,1 Population purchase through internet 22,6 18,9 Source:
Evidently, this raises fundamental new questions about management levels, responsibilities, control rights, data access, markets and market roles, as well as regulation.
Originally understood as a merely technical upgrade of limited impact the idea of smart grids has been developed from different sides since about three decades:
and increased flexibility of demand e--mobility managing a new kind of high-power mobile demand and storage Making grids smarter therefore needs to be considered as a key element of any transition strategy towards renewable electricity.
competitive energy markets, efficient use of energy, integration of fluctuating renewables, consumer protection and data safety, industry development, research.
The IT and telecom industries are visibly gaining influence while consumer and environmental organisations are not very present.
are considered increasingly to be a complex concept involving not only hardware and some local control software,
the discussion about smart grids is at the core of the energy debate. It concerns technical, organisational,
Introducing smart grids means that software--controlled new technologies are substituting hardwired top-down control mechanisms,
to avoid the need of regular visual data collection by utility personnel, to gain a better short-term control over electricity losses (including theft prevention),
chairman of the US Atomic energy commission, 1954 5 http://en. wikipedia. org/wiki/Automatic meter reading 6 See case study
to define or restructure responsibilities for data handling, customer contact or local congestion management, easily lead to considerable shifts in technological, commercial and political power between the players involved.
competitive energy markets, efficient use of energy, integration of fluctuating renewables15, consumer protection and data safety, 16 industry development (mainly ICT, electrical equipment, appliances
2) ensuring data protection for consumers;(3) establishing a regulatory framework to provide incentives for Smart Grid deployment;(
http://ec. europa. eu/energy/gas electricity/smartgrids/doc/mission. pdf. SGTF website http://ec. europa. eu/energy/gas electricity/smartgrids/taskforce en
and a stronger representa--tion of the telecom industry) has been appointed by DG Energy. 25 The updated mandate puts a stronger emphasis on regulatory issues as well as on communication and data handling.
On request of the Commission the Agency for Cooperation of Energy Regulators ACER elaborates Framework Guidelines.
http://static. euractiv. com/sites/all/euractiv/files/EED. en12. doc 32 http://sedc--coalition. eu/2012/07/13/press-release--energy-efficiency
DG INFSO regularly organises EC--Telecom--Utility workshops. 4. 3 Main Stakeholders present in the debates at EU level In the different boards
TSOS, DSOS, Regulators, Generation, Renewables, Users, Electrotechnology equipment manufacturers, Telecommunications, Metering manufacturers, Research and development within the electricity companies, Research institutes 35 http://ec. europa
. eu/energy/technology/set plan/set plan en. htm 36 http://www. gridplus. eu 37 http://www. eera--set. eu/index. php?
representing companies with a turnover of 35 bn €. It is very active in the EU Smart Grid debate emphasis--41 See e g. http://www. eurelectric. org/Download/News/WN. asp?
http://www. aie. eu/IT and Telecom industry With smart grids the energy sector opens for the logic and the influence of information and communication technologies (ICT).
This is a huge growth opportunity for the corresponding industries offering hardware, software, data handling and communication.
http://www. tdeurope. eu/data/TD%20europe%20position%20paper%20on%20infrastructures%20and%20smar t%20grids%20010212. pdf 48 This is also the case in member
Strong interest in smart meters and standardization of the last mile to consumers 50 ETNO, European Telecom Networks Operators Association, represents 41 operators in 35 countries (http
European Competitive Telecommunications Association, represents the regulatory and commercial interests of'challenger'electronic communication service providers and their suppliers (http://www. ectaportal. com). EUTC,
European Utilities Telecom Council, represents the telecommunications and information technology interests of Europe's electric, gas and water utilities and other critical infrastructure organisations (http://www. eutc. org).
GSMA, represents the interests of mobile operators worldwide (http://www. gsma. com). Consumer and environmental organisations BEUC,
e g. controlling demand response at the 58 See also http://www. europeanenergyreview. eu/site/pagina. php?
Enel deployed smart meters (bidirectional communication, power measurement and management capabilities, software--controllable switch) to all its 30 million customers.
and considered to be one of the largest worldwide. 62 Enel has partnered with Telecom italia and Electrolux for a communications platform for a home area network that will allow for value-added services.
/http://it. answers. yahoo. com/question/index? qid=20110420052340aact417; 65 delibera 292/06 66 http://www. addressfp7. org,(Valtorta et al.
/70 A good overview on international standardisation activities is given by (ITU Telecommunication Standardization Bureau 2011) See also (Appelrath et al.
's State Grid Corporation has decided to invest $ 250 billion in electric power infrastructure upgrades over the next five years;
On the backdrop of the success of Chinese equipment vendors in the telecom and the renewable energy industry
Who will have access to real-time consumption data of the customers? Will there be distribution--level markets for optimally managing capacities,
A centralised approach would require much more efforts for data gathering, data handling, data security and discussions on data privacy.
and have access to detailed consumer data. Moreover, in a perspective where consumption and production of energy cannot be separated clearly anymore since increasing numbers of (industrial,
The EU Smart Grids Debate 34 References For convenience, web references and EU documents are given as web links in the footnotes.
Migrationspfade ins Internet der Energie (acatech Studie. Springer verlag, Heidelberg u. a. Asmus, P.,Lauderbaugh, A.,2012.
Bundesverband Neuer Energieanbieter, Berlin. http://www. neue--energieanbieter. de/data/uploads/20111010 bne positionspapier smart grids. pdf Brandstätt, C.,Brunekreeft, G.,Fridrichsen, N.,2012.
VDE, Association for electrical, electronic & information technologies, Frankfurt. Driesen, J.,Katiraei, F.,2008. Design for Distributed Energy Resources.
IEEE. http://grouper. ieee. org/groups/scc21/1547.4/1547. 4 index. html. ITU Telecommunication Standardization Bureau
Microgrids at Berkeley Lab, Berkeley, p. website. http://der. lbl. gov/.OECD, 2010. Cities and Climate Change.
In this context, European regions carried out a process of definition of these strategies that ended recently with the beginning of the new programming period.
the Core of the Concept The concept of smart specialization comes from reflection generated around the structural gap between Europe and the USA (Pontikakis et al. 2009),
2. 2. Smart Specialisation and RIS3 Smart specialisation has been established as one of the conditions for accessing the ERDF in this programming period 2014-2020 in the shape of RIS3 (EC 2013 and EC 2011.
on the contrary, appears as the core element to achieve specialized diversification processes. Third and finally, the link among the RIS3 and the ex-ante condition of the Structural Funds put high pressure on the deadlines to have defined them
Research methodology APPROACH DATA METHOD Quantitative Statistical data from Spanish National Statistics Institute (INE) on number of establishments, GDP, employment and Input-Output regional
) Qualitative Qualitative data: all the regional RIS3 in Spain available from the Spanish Ministry of Finance and Public Administration (MINHAP)( http://www. dgfc. sgpg. meh. es/sitios/dgfc/)and each regional
website for smart specialisation. Benchmarking analysis on priority setting, policy objectives and measures, monitoring and evaluation systems.
1593-0319 41 Even though entrepreneurial discoveries are in the core of the strategies (they are the way to achieve the mentioned specialised diversification) there was no real integration (or at least an operative one) of them.
The core of smart specialization lays in the radical innovations that arise from the creative combination of technologies and/or sectors.
A progressive homogenization in the methods and mechanisms of stablishing priorities at regional level (that is, sharing common databases, sectorial/technological definitions, etc..
the tuning of priority choices included, indicators to follow-up and improve the strategy, a data set of policies (some
1593-0319 43 Technopolis (2006) Strategic Evaluation on Innovation and the knowledge based economy in relation to the Structural and Cohesion Funds, for the programming period 2007-2013.
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