This report was commissioned by DG INFSO as part of its preparations for the successor programme to i2010 – its current policy framework. It contains the results of the study of the socio-economic impacts of the ‘Ubiquitous Internet Society’ and its possible policy implications. The study contained a number of distinct but connected analytical steps; stringing together technologies that are supporting the trends towards a more connected world. These are linked to potential future socio-economic impacts and changing business models; as well as their likely policy consequences; in order to recommend a well argued set of actions within a consistent policy framework. This study set out to review technology trends that relate to the notion of an emerging ubiquitous Internet Society. The trends or actually trend clusters that are identified in this study are:
- Development of a Common communications infrastructure
- Evolution towards Computing as a ubiquitous utility
- The convergence of humans and computers
- The emergence of the Intelligent Web
These are discussed in detail as to their nature, supporting technologies, key uncertainties, and likely governance aspects impacting the speed and trajectory of their development.
Learning Change 