One of the key policies is the establishment of e-government. The Federal Government aims to use information and communication opportunities to make information available to all citizens and companies in a user-friendly way and to offer them the opportunities to make electronic transactions with the authorities in a safe and secure way. In this venture, the Federal Government will work closely with the regions and communities, provinces, and municipalities. All governmental information and services will be accessible via one platform, and will be available for the citizens via various channels.
The second line of force addresses avoidance of the so-called 'digital gap'. Belgium aims to ensure access for all citizens to today's information networks.
The third measure includes the creation by the government of a Belgian telecommunication infrastructure, through the further expansion of broadband networks, such as Belnet, the fast implementation of new infrastructures and technologies, such as UMTS, and strong ICT network interchanges with ICT research clustering.
R&D plays a key role in the innovation and further development of broadband networks (Internet) and the development of an e-economy. The Federal Government is taking a number of initiatives to enhance the related expertise via a permanent research network.
Finally, the government will provide supporting regulations, including Internet-specific laws that will, amongst other things, protect users through simple and flexible regulating measures.
Examples of concrete measures include a broad multimedia sensitisation campaign concerning new media to be launched in order to make Flemish citizens and the business community aware of and informed about ICT opportunities. Social telephone rates comprise favourable rates for the benefit of some disabled or older persons (under very specific conditions). This service is offered by Belgacom SA (the leading supplier of global telecommunications solutions on the Belgian market). The Walloon "Fondation Cédric" has, in collaboration with Proximus, launched a 'Cedric Solidarity' rate that subsidises mobile telephone costs for wheelchair users. The purchase of a mobile telephone is not subsidised.
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