The evolution towards the information society, a market driven perspective from the CONVAIR project in ACTS

As part of the ACTS CONVAIR project, experts from seventeen major telecommunication companies and institutions have generated foresights and visions of the evolution of the ICT sector in Europe in the next years. Key goals for a sustainable information economy have been selected and critical issues identified preventing the accomplishment of the set goals. While it is accepted that developments in technology will play an important part in advancing the information society, there will be many other influences, just as important, that will dictate the shape and functionality of the future. This paper analyses these influences and their interactions with the technology innovation and lists expected users needs evolution. Some relevant conclusions are then drawn.