Shaping Policies for Creativity, Confidence and Convergence in the Digital World. OECD Ministerial Meeting

On 17-18 June 2008 in Seoul holds OECD Ministerial Meeting: The Future of the Internet Economy

The Internet is a key infrastructure for global economic growth and social development. Three major trends – Convergence, Creativity and Confidence – are influencing the policy environment for the Internet Economy. Each of these trends reflects significant shifts in the use and functionality of the Internet. Collectively, they represent a major transition in the evolution of the Internet and the economic system that has developed around it. Therefore, it has become increasingly necessary that policies supporting the Internet Economy be carefully crafted and co-ordinated across policy domains, borders and multiple stakeholder communities.

Ministers and stakeholders meeting on 17-18 June 2008 in Seoul will consider social, economic and technological trends shaping the development of the Internet Economy. They will forge broad principles that can provide an enabling policy environment for the Internet Economy.

As background for the Ministerial meeting analytical reports are being released:

A Policy Brief on the Future of the Internet Economy: Major changes are affecting the scope and scale of the Internet. As a result, the Internet is increasingly high on the policy agenda in many OECD and non-OECD countries. This Policy Brief reviews likely future developments in the Internet economy and how policy-makers can help the Internet to adapt to evolving requirements caused by convergence, continue to drive innovation, and be trustworthy.

Convergence and Next Generation Networks: OECD has just issued a new report on convergence and next generation networks and their potential impact on policies and regulations. The report addresses issues of competition in the new fibre environment, convergence of video, voice and data services, the rapid growth of new technologies, such as HDTV and mobile television, and the related demand for spectrum, as well as new possible “divides” between urban and rural areas created by the uneven development of high-speed fibre networks.

Consumer empowerment in communication services: Improving the ability of consumers to choose between competing suppliers is important for well functioning markets. The report examines how to increase market flexibility for consumers in communication services, and improve access to information.

Development of Policies for Protection of Critical Information Infrastructures: Some information systems are critical because their disruption or destruction would have a serious impact on the economic well-being of citizens or the effective functioning of government or the economy. Based on two studies conducted in 2006 and 2007, this OECD report analyses security policies to protect critical information infrastructures in Australia, Canada, Japan, Korea, The Netherlands, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

Malicious Software (Malware): A Security Threat to the Internet Economy: Malware has evolved from occasional “exploits” to a multi-million dollar criminal industry. This report informs policy makers about the evolution and impact of malware, as well as the counter-measures being taken. It concludes with suggestions for greater co-operation across the various international communities addressing malware.

Broadband and the Economy: Broadband and networked ICTs are diffusing rapidly, but there are significant differences in use among countries, sectors and firms, and their impacts are only beginning to be felt. Broadband and networked ICTs are important in meeting health, demographic and environmental challenges, and policy plays an important role in expanding their use and enhancing their impact.