Supporting the rollout of broadband in Europe: optical network research in the IST program

The introduction of affordable broadband services and applications will drive the next phase of deployment of optical networks. Research on optical networks and related photonics technologies, which has been a key element of the European Union's Research Programs over the past 15 years, has evolved in line with industry and market developments, and will continue, with a strong focus on broadband, in the Information Society Technologies (IST) priority of the new Framework Six Program. The infrastructure to deliver "broadband for all" is seen as the key future direction for optical networking, and the key growth market for industry.