Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2007-06-18-Speech-1-085"
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"en.20070618.14.1-085"2
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"Mr President, Commissioner, ladies and gentlemen, I should like to start by congratulating Mr Hökmark on his excellent approach to the subject and, secondly, to take my turn to emphasise that the lack of access to broadband connections is one aspect of the more general problem generally referred to as the digital divide.
This divide is particularly prevalent between generations, enterprises and areas. The problem is even more acute in remote and inaccessible areas, such as island and mountain areas, and in rural areas, where demand is particularly weak and, as such, there is little commercial interest.
Consequently, competition
is not the solution to the problem. Targeted actions need to be taken to bridge the broadband divide in general.
The following are some of the actions which I consider important: the Member States must step up the learning of information technology in compulsory education and give greater support to the development of content in their language. This will assist penetration to larger sections of the population. I believe that subsidies for financially deprived citizens to acquire broadband connections and suitable equipment will be of equal help. The citizens themselves must also learn the major practical applications of broadband, such as teleworking, new medical diagnostic and treatment services and contemporary education and public services.
Of course all this is also hugely important to the development of European competitiveness, offering opportunities for new pioneering small and medium-sized enterprises and increased productivity in general.
Finally, I consider that public financing and public private partnerships should be further developed in poorly served areas."@en1
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