The overall objective of the BEACON project is to conduct a socio-economic impact assessment of broadband access and use in the context of electronic services and related issues in the networked, knowledge based economy.

The research results will help policy-makers and other stakeholders to better identify the challenges that need to be addressed with regard to broadband enabled new forms of business, working and public service provision (eBusiness, eWork and eGovernment) as well as related challenges and initiatives (e.g. SEEM, collaborative work and eSpaces). Research and analysis covers societal and economic issues both at the micro and macro level.

This project has four main objectives:

  1. research, analyse and describe the development of broadband access and use from 2003 to the year 2010 (aligned to the Lisbon Agenda timeframe)
  2. research and analyse the potential economic and societal impact of broadband access and use on three core application and service areas in the emerging information society in different market sectors as well as the public sector: eBusiness, eWork and eGovernment. The work will focus on specific broadband-related aspects within these areas:
    • 2.1) eBusiness: The impact of broadband on the development of new forms of trading based on a pan-European environment with interoperable, commonly agreed processes: the Single European Electronic Market (SEEM) Initiative.
    • 2.2) eWork: The impact of broadband on new collaborative forms of work organisation and working environments, including a pan-European collaborative eSpace, based on the SEEM
    • 2.3) eGovernment: The impact of broadband on e-Government, the modernisation of institutions/public services and democratic practices, including the relationships with SEEM and collaborative work.
  3. identify the impact of broadband on the most relevant socio-economic issues related to the above, including:
    • 3.1) the facilitation of new business models with a focus on content development issues (content drivers and obstacles) as well as market and work organisation implications
    • 3.2) the creation of an inclusive, sustainable knowledge economy, including the mainstream accessibility to eBusiness, eWork and eGovernment services and the role of individual behaviour
  4. derive final recommendations with regard to the formulation and implementation of policies.