Section menu

THE i2010 STRATEGY

What is the i2010 Strategy?

The i2010 Strategy is the European Commission’s strategic framework for information communication technologies (ICTs) and media policy for the European Union from 2005 to 2010.  The main objective of the Strategy is to ensure ICTs make a real and positive contribution to economic growth, productivity and social inclusion in all 25 Member States of the European Union.

The i2010 Strategy consists of 3 main policy objectives:

• Information Space – to create an open and competitive ICT European space;
• Innovation and Investment – to stimulate innovation through investment in research;
• Inclusion - to make ICTs accessible everywhere and to everyone in the EU.

The i2010 Strategy was launched by the Commission in June 2005 in the form of a Commission Communication.  The UK Presidency hosted an i2010 Conference in September 2005 to discuss the strategy.  Member States collectively responded to the Strategy when Ministers agreed Council Conclusions at the Telecoms Council in December 2005.

One of the commitments made in the i2010 Strategy is that the Commission will publish an Annual Report which will look at the progress made in achieving the i2010 objectives.  The first Annual Report was published mid May 2006.  Although the report highlights that progress has been made in the past 12 months, particularly in the area of broadband, it also points out that much still needs to be done to ensure the i2010 Strategy fully delivers its potential contribution to the economic and social goals of the Lisbon Agenda.