SFERA Annual Conference on 9 Oct 2009 gathered in Brussels the main EU stakeholders to discuss how to improve the deployment of innovative broadband networks in European regions.

SFERA project got off with a powerful start and ended with a successful venue, gathering in its final conference more than 100 European decision makers. A large number of participants have left the Aquitaine Brussels Office with a renewed sense of enthusiasm to overcome digital divide as well as a solid foundation for launching new ICT projects, making the most of the current opportunities for fast broadband deployment. This year’s audience counted with over 100 participants from the European ICT regional authorities, industry, academia, EU institutions, national governments, among others.

The event was supported by eris@ (European Regional Information Society Association) and the European Broadband Portal.
With a practical approach, the event provided scenarios, case studies, and business models to promote discussion around:

• New opportunities of growth for European aisled regions through ICT R&D investments
• Efficient use of SF for definition of policies and forward thinking plans for the broadband services
• Establishing successful links between the EU recovery plan and the broadband expansion
• Successful ICT Regional Strategies in SF Programming

SFERA Annual Conference included expert speakers, who explored how the strategic use of ICTs could support regional and local development and infrastructure, overcome digital divide, and make these areas more attractive to business and individuals alike.

During the opening session Jaroslaw Pietras, Director General of the Council of the European Union highlighted some of the new opportunities for European regions through ICT R&D investments. After the speech of Jaroslaw Pietras, it was time to welcome three relevant EU experts for the broadband expansion in rural areas: Kenneth Ducatel, Head of Unit of DG INFSO - Lisbon Strategy and i2010; Nivelin Noev, of DG AGRI - Consistency of Rural Development; and Hans Martens, Chief Executive of the European Policy Centre (EPC).

The themes covered during session 1 gave some hints for the fast deployment of broadband and next generation ICT networks: Kenneth Ducatel, talked about the value of the broadband investment to reach 100% coverage and longer term benefits for the regions. Nivelin Noev, focused on the opportunities for broadband fast deployment under the Rural Development Policy, and Hans Martens, presented the wider aspects of broadband for the Digital Europe strategy.

Session 2 gathered the representatives of relevant industry and other European initiatives: Julián Seseña, ISI ViceChair and Rose Vision Executive VP; George Hall, Patron of eris@; Aarti Holla-Maini, Secretary General of ESOA; and László Binder, Managing Director of Hungaro Digitel. Within this slot, the main topic to be covered was broadband as a means to accelerating economic recovery, explained from the perspective for the industry and relevant EU initiatives.
Afterwards, SFERA coordinators and partners presented the project highlights: overview of the key outputs, how regions could benefit from the analysis performed, and SFERA decision support tools for the EU stakeholders. At the same time, an exhibition was held in the main hall providing to participants more details of the results achieved by SFERA and the studies developed during the project.

Finally, a roundtable involving the representatives of regional and national ICT programmes was held with the objective of discussing the fast deployment of broadband networks in EU regions. The four presentations done have showed a wide array of solutions and fresh ideas for the development of ICT in regions: António Bob Santos, Adviser in Cabinet of the National Coordinator of the Lisbon Strategy and the Technological Plan presented the Portuguese National Strategy for the broadband extension; Anna Lisa Minghetti from Lepida SpA provided some insights of the deployment of wireless broadband networks in Emilia-Romagna region; Carlos Cabo, Project Manager from FUNDECYT & Project Partner of B3 Regions project has explained the objectives, activities and results of B3 Regions; and Petr Pavlinec, CIO at Vysocina Regional Authority detailed the policies, technologies and support given to Vysocina’s local projects.

The event offered a practical view on existing opportunities for fast deployment of advanced access infrastructures, particularly wireless broadband and next generation ICT networks. In addition, it encouraged regional and national players to think strategically about the importance of fast ICT expansion, especially of broadband networks, as a means to achieving productivity gains, accelerating economic recovery, the modernisation of public services and social inclusion.
As George Hall, the Patron of eris@, on Friday in Brussels stressed "The organization of a European event with a relevant impact, involving the participation of more than 100 attendees - particularly in times like these - is a real achievement, underlining the importance of broadband for EU economic recovery and regional competitiveness".

For more information: www.sferaproject.eu