Information society

The information society also requires close attention, since it is essential to the Belgian economy's development. The liberalisation of telecommunications as well as the widespread use of information and communication technologies (ICT) are major issues for the growth of industrialised nations. They help speed up technological progress and modernisation of the economy. The breathtaking speed of internet development and the progressive use of internet networks by companies have resulted in a major advance: the arrival of the information society.

Drawing up a legislative framework in Belgium

Ensuring information security

Stimulating innovation and the development of new information technologies

Drawing up a legislative framework in Belgium

The implementation of the Directorate-General Telecommunications and Information Society within the FPS Economy must contribute to the application of a coordinated legislative policy on the information and telecommunications society. The FPS Economy intends to consolidate this Directorate-General in order to help prepare the policy on electronic communication, coordinate the ICT policy on a federal level, and draft a proposition for a structure used for coordinating with various levels of authorities on ICT policies.

Ensuring information security

European standards specify that certification of security systems must be carried out by a government authority and must not be entirely outsourced to private laboratories, as is customarily done. All electronic communication within European projects for Airbus (aeronautics) and Galileo (satellite information) already operates according to these standardised protocols. In the near future, the same precautions will be necessary for exchanges of information on key sectors. This problem is very often underestimated in Belgium. Evaluating and improving the legislative framework is therefore indispensible in terms of public (and physical) security in the market.

Stimulating innovation and the development of new information technologies

While Belgium is the most wired country in the world, for broadband it has dropped from fifth place (in December 2003) to eleventh place (in June 2006) according to data published by the OECD. High speed internet prices remain almost twice as high on average than in neighbouring countries. From now on, the FPS Economy must encourage putting pressure on network prices (competition, opening and creating new networks).

However, cable broadcasting, the competitive vector of “triple play” offers (internet, telephone, television), is becoming increasingly monopolistic. The high speed internet and “triple play” markets must therefore be analysed in terms of competition and pricing in order to improve the way they function.