EU Information Society guide 1998, 2nd ed.

EU Information Society Guide 1998:
The EU Committee of the American Chamber of Commerce in Belgium has published the second edition of its 'EU Information Society Guide'. The publication explains the EU's approach to the Information Society and the opportunities and challenges brought about by the convergence of information and communication technologies.

The guide is essentially divided into two main sections. In the first there are concise descriptions of all EU initiatives taking place across a wide range of sectors under the umbrella of the information society. This covers such issues as telecommunications liberalisation; open network provision; interconnection, universal service, licenses; mobile communications; satellite communications; numbering; standards and interoperability; electronic commerce; encryption; conditional access; copyright and related rights; legal protection of databases; trans-European telecommunications networks; R&D in information technology; convergence; social and societal aspects of the information society; living and working in the information society; education and training; protection of personal data; audiovisual policy; harmful content on the Internet; G-7 and the information society; WTO agreement on basic telecommunications; the Trans-Atlantic Business Dialogue and the information society; Internet domain names, etc. Attached to this section is a listing, with bibliographical sources, of all adopted and proposed legislation in the area of the information society and a section on information society developments in the USA.

The second section of the guide is a directory to all the key organisations involved in information society activities at a European level. This includes the EU Institutions such as the European Commission, Council of Ministers and European Parliament, non-governmental organisations and relevant international organisations. Foreach organisation (and departments within organisations) a description of activities is given, plus full contact details including names, addresses and web sites.

The volume is completed with a glossary of abbreviations and acronyms and an index. Altogether the guide is an excellent bringing together of key information for those interested in information society developments at the EU level.

EU Information Society Guide 1998
The EU Committee of the American Chamber of Commerce in Belgium, 1998
ISBN: 2-930073-45-4
Price: 2,000 BFr