Future ICT in Europe
The global technological and societal challenges have once again proved the significance of information and communication technologies on the competitiveness of the European economy.
Photo: p_a_h / Flickr Creative Commons.
The transformation to a service-based and software-intensive economy occurs in tandem with the advancement of ICT. This is because efficiency in production through means of optimal resource allocation, privatization of public services through means of reforms, as well as innovation in science through means of technological breakthroughs all necessitate ICT as the backbone in a knowledge-based society.
There has been affluent research done on the subject given the large amount of funding by the EU Member States. Therefore, the recognition of ICT as Europe’s scientific and technology foundation is realized so that its benefits are translated to stimulate innovation while complying with various industry requirements.
In reality, ICT is used as services in factories, networks in energy-efficient buildings, and devices in fully electric vehicle. The commercial aspect of ICT, including the related business models, has evolved from a sheer component form to a wide range of application forms. Examples include mass-customization and SaaS.
In addition, the future internet will encompass a new network infrastructure so that different ICT based integration solutions will provide new types of intelligent systems for better energy efficiency, virtual mobility and sustainability. Examples include Living Labs and the usage of Ipv6. As a matter of fact, heavy usage of ICT is already seen in the health sector and nanoelectronics.
The challenges with ICT lie in its engineering to a context-sensitive, cost-effective, security-based and user-friendly system that is easily adaptable within the respective environments. In practice, this is implemented through digital libraries and content technologies to allow scalability in a complex application framework.
The future format of ICT resembles that of interoperable devices and embedded systems where there is a high potential in the growth of key ICT application fields. Specifically, novel internet architectures, flexible network frameworks, innovative mobile technologies, novel radio network are all sub-groups of a converged service infrastructure that facilitates both public service and private communication demand.
Belle Selene Xia is a student at the University of Helsinki, with a colorful background ranging from studies at different universities and working experience in various fields. She likes to think that her consciousness will guide her to make the world a better place. During her free time Selene likes to do sports, relax and have fun.