The Internet of 2020: Future services – future challenges – WS 06 2009

14 September 2009 | 16:15-17:45
Programme overview 2009

Keywords and questions

Services in 2020; challenges to existing non-telecom regulation such as copyright, cross border issues and other kind of non-harmonization of regulation and legislation, including data protection, privacy and other public policy aspects; RFID – Internet of things, cloud computing.

Session focus

Workshop focus: Services in 2020; challenges to existing non-telecom regulation such as copyright, cross-border issues and other kind of non-harmonisation of regulation and legislation, including data protection, privacy and other public policy aspects; RFID – Internet of things, cloud computing.

Messages

The future is uncertain. Many ideas have been and can be discussed, but actually we do not know how the Internet looks like even in 2010. However, it is certain that it will change and many aspects of it are going to be different with new views on services including public services, access, copyright, and on the spread of future IT policies.

The discussions crystallised around the following topics:

• From a technological point of view, we see an increase in “things communicating with things” (not only “humans with services”) and, therefore, communications networks will become more dense. There is also a confusion that the “Internet of Things” is the same as RFID enabled technologies. The “Internet of Things” is much more than RFID.
• From a business perspective, emphasis was put on how can innovation can be promoted (with new regulatory incentives, new copyright regimes, new competition law provisions) and, in addition, the desire to work out better guidelines for future policy makers.
• The European Commission is aware of the forthcoming challenges and has issued several documents: ICT Policy Agenda 2015, Green Knowledge Society (14 September 2009), Communication (Action Plan) on the Internet of Things (June 18, 2009), and Recommendation on RFID (May 12, 2009). It was stressed that these documents merit attention notwithstanding any doubts about their ability to address all the needs of the incoming information society including the Internet in 2020.
• Trust and awareness in the Internet of 2020 was underlined, in particular with regard to copyright regimes and privacy/data protection. As regards copyright, it was mentioned that the younger generation does not believe in the regulatory regime anymore. Further, it was questionable whether a regime could survive if it is not accepted in society (social consciousness). In contrast, it was stressed that some copyright protection is unavoidable, and that the system of collective licensing may well prove to be the most suitable. It was stressed that there is a need to continue discussing the issue of copyright taking into account open access requirements.
• As regards privacy and data protection, there were a range of questions posed such as who owns my online profile and who may collect this data? It was noted that developments regarding the Internet of Things are likely to raise further concerns about data security, data integrity and data control. The European Union approach refers to privately established frameworks which have to be submitted for review in accordance with Article 29 of the EU Data Protection Directive. Apart from this regional approach, it was considered desirable to have an international framework which improves the data protection regime.
• As regards RFIDs, it was recommended that privacy and data protection impact assessments (PIAs) should be developed by operators following an RFID PIA framework drafted by industry in collaboration with stakeholders that is ultimately endorsed by Article 29.
• Public service media were considered to be a special concern. Some considered it likely that public service media will lose market share in distribution and, consequently, will need to adapt their activities to make content available. The demand, wherever it may be requested, for national and regional content was considered likely to increase and might therefore require changes in the traditional management methods of public services, including the licensing of rights to distribution mentioned above. Furthermore, social networks are likely to increase the potential participation in/of public service media leading to more blurring of radio and television.

Social networks will likely gain in importance. Facebook-style networks may develop towards virtual “facerooms” where “friends meet and spend time together” thereby adding pressure on legislation and rules to become more technology-neutral and modern. Twitter-like services could become more prominent. Peer-filtering and peer-reviewing could become more important. A stable legal framework which addresses human rights, such as the right to privacy, should be implemented especially in order to avoid or reduce the risk of civil society losing confidence in new technological possibilities. Overall, major efforts are necessary to address the Internet issues in 2020 which are not only IT Policy changes. That said, IT policies need to be redefined and only a multi-stakeholder approach which encompasses the ideas of all concerned parties would be lead to adequate results which optimises the Internet 2020 environment.