Advances in technology are transforming almost every aspect of our lives. In particular, developments in telecommunications are having a profound impact. In the Information Society, businesses and governments are able to provide more and more services electronically. In turn, individuals are given greater choice and opportunity, for example to pursue computer-based learning, or to receive online health advice. Electronic services are also helping people to become more involved in their communities, for example by letting them know what’s going on in their local area.

The launch of new services like these is a major decision, requiring preparation and planning to weigh up the costs and benefits. Businesses and public authorities all want to know that their investments will reap rewards. They want to see better services resulting for the consumer and the citizen.

The success of e-services can be especially difficult to predict when they cross national borders. There may be language difficulties. There may be problems in making computer applications compatible with each other. Customer servicing, maintenance of information or physical stockpiles, delivery, marketing and promotion may also need to be adapted to local conditions.

This is where eTEN comes in.

The European Community eTEN programme (formerly TEN-Telecom) works by giving financial assistance to consortia consisting of public and private organisations, enabling them to make e-services available across the European Union. It focuses particularly on the critical validation and launch phases of a service, when assumptions about the operating costs and the potential revenues, savings and public benefits are put to the test. It can provide:

Up to 50% of the costs of market validation for a project, showing its technical and economic feasibility and benefit to end-users
Up to 10% of the costs of initial deployment in starting up a service.

Currently the main focuses of eTEN are applications and generic services in the areas of eGovernment, eHealth, eInclusion, eLearning and Trust and Confidence.

For further information on eTEN Programme kindly visit their website:

http://europa.eu.int/information_society/programmes/eten/index_en.htm