PROMOTING PROMOTING BROADBAND CONNECTIONS & BROADBAND CONNECTIONS &

INTERACTIVE CONTENTINTERACTIVE CONTENT FOR EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES FOR EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES IN THE CONTEXT OF MODERN IN THE CONTEXT OF MODERN

EUROPEAN POLICIES:EUROPEAN POLICIES:

The case of the D-SPACE ProjectThe case of the D-SPACE Project

Dr. Ioannis P. ChochliourosDr. Ioannis P. ChochliourosHead of Research Programs Section Head of Research Programs Section

Labs & New Technologies Division, Labs & New Technologies Division,

Hellenic Telecommunications Organization S.A. Hellenic Telecommunications Organization S.A.

Thematic ContentsThematic Contents

Introduction – The European Context for the Introduction – The European Context for the Development of an “Development of an “Information Society for AllInformation Society for All””

The D-SPACE Project: A Major “Driver” for the The D-SPACE Project: A Major “Driver” for the Promotion of e-Learning ActivitiesPromotion of e-Learning Activities

Broadband Evolution: A “Pre-requisite” for the Broadband Evolution: A “Pre-requisite” for the Effectiveness of the D-SPACE InitiativeEffectiveness of the D-SPACE Initiative

Creation & Distribution of Innovative Content Creation & Distribution of Innovative Content & Services& Services

ConclusionsConclusions

Introduction: Introduction:

The European Context for the The European Context for the Development of an “Information Development of an “Information

Society for All”Society for All”

Introductory Context:Introductory Context: Facing Various Challenges for Tomorrow’s Facing Various Challenges for Tomorrow’s

EvolutionEvolution

Information Technologies together with Information Technologies together with Communication & Media Industries, are currently Communication & Media Industries, are currently on the verge of a remarkable “phase” of fast growth on the verge of a remarkable “phase” of fast growth & development, in & development, in the global converged environment!the global converged environment!

Modern ICTs can affect, Modern ICTs can affect, very positivelyvery positively, , the wider European economy the wider European economy

for reaching multiple benefits for reaching multiple benefits of the “ of the “digital era”.digital era”.

Facing Challenges for Tomorrow’s Facing Challenges for Tomorrow’s Evolution: A Global ContextEvolution: A Global Context

““Exponential” growth of electronic Exponential” growth of electronic communication networks & information systems communication networks & information systems in the recent years:in the recent years: Both they constitute an Both they constitute an essential part of the daily essential part of the daily liveslives of the European citizens and of the European citizens and fundamental fundamental “tools”“tools” to the success of the broader economy. to the success of the broader economy.

Networks and information systems are converging Networks and information systems are converging & becoming increasingly interconnected:& becoming increasingly interconnected: This optionThis option creates potential opportunitiescreates potential opportunities for all for all categories of market “players” involved and categories of market “players” involved and affects, all sectors of human activityaffects, all sectors of human activity (business, public services and private sphere).(business, public services and private sphere).

Facing Challenges for Tomorrow’s Evolution: Facing Challenges for Tomorrow’s Evolution: Market OpportunitiesMarket Opportunities

-- Extended promotion-deployment-exploitation of a Extended promotion-deployment-exploitation of a great diversity of electronic communications-great diversity of electronic communications-based activitiesbased activities in the European (EU27) internal in the European (EU27) internal market.market.

-- Various technical, commercial & investment Various technical, commercial & investment priorities for all actors:priorities for all actors: Governments and private Governments and private businesses.businesses.

-- Perspectives for Perspectives for “market synergies”“market synergies” in a in a liberalized liberalized && competitive environment. competitive environment.

The Scope:The Scope:ICTs/Internet are basic elements for widespread ICTs/Internet are basic elements for widespread access to the Information Society for citizens access to the Information Society for citizens and enterprises, towards designing & developing and enterprises, towards designing & developing a modern “knowledge-based economy”.a modern “knowledge-based economy”.

Facing Challenges for Tomorrow’s Facing Challenges for Tomorrow’s Evolution: Immediate BenefitsEvolution: Immediate Benefits

New services & products:New services & products: increase productivity, increase productivity, generate new consumer facilities, generate new consumer facilities, advance market competition and advance market competition and create employment opportunitiescreate employment opportunities

Innovative applications can:Innovative applications can: • improve quality of life for all participants improve quality of life for all participants

(enterprises, households, public sector) (enterprises, households, public sector) • help to avoid exclusion & isolation phenomena…help to avoid exclusion & isolation phenomena…

Facing Challenges for Tomorrow’s Evolution: Facing Challenges for Tomorrow’s Evolution: European Policy ResponsesEuropean Policy Responses

Stimulating use and creating new services has Stimulating use and creating new services has become the “central goal” of modern European become the “central goal” of modern European policy objectives,policy objectives, as expressed in core strategic as expressed in core strategic frameworks:frameworks:

““eeEurope-2005” Europe-2005” ““i2010”.i2010”.

The Vision:The Vision:Europe should have Europe should have modern modern onlineonline publicly accessed services publicly accessed services

(e-Learning, e-Government, e-Health)(e-Learning, e-Government, e-Health) and and a a dynamic e-Business environmentdynamic e-Business environment, , based on the based on the ubiquitous availability of ubiquitous availability of

broadband accessbroadband access at competitive pricesat competitive prices, , and a secure information infrastructure.and a secure information infrastructure.

The D-SPACE Project: The D-SPACE Project:

A Major “Driver” for the Promotion of A Major “Driver” for the Promotion of e-Learning Activitiese-Learning Activities

e-Learning Actions: A Priority for Europee-Learning Actions: A Priority for Europe

e-Learning activities are among the most significant e-Learning activities are among the most significant priorities of the European “digital economy”,priorities of the European “digital economy”, in in order to:order to:

• Enhance tomorrow’s education Enhance tomorrow’s education • Make stronger Europe’s global competitivenessMake stronger Europe’s global competitiveness

The use of The use of new multimedia technologies and the new multimedia technologies and the Internet can:Internet can:

• Improve the quality of learningImprove the quality of learning by facilitating by facilitating access to several resources and services. access to several resources and services.

• Support remote teaching exchanges.Support remote teaching exchanges.• Promote international collaborationPromote international collaboration.

e-Learning Actions: A Priority for Europee-Learning Actions: A Priority for Europe

The Target:The Target:Allowing Europe to Allowing Europe to “take full advantage of its “take full advantage of its educational strengths”educational strengths” and and to to “go beyond any potential barriers”,“go beyond any potential barriers”, restraining restraining the uptake of digital technologies!the uptake of digital technologies!

Actions:Actions:Specific care in the areas of research, innovation, education and training,Specific care in the areas of research, innovation, education and training, aiming aiming to increase efficiency effortsto increase efficiency efforts by pursuing a more integrated approach and by pursuing a more integrated approach and by placing these policies under a common by placing these policies under a common banner:banner: An everlasting European area of knowledge!An everlasting European area of knowledge!

The D-Space Project in the Modern The D-Space Project in the Modern European SceneEuropean Scene

The D-Space Project is a core element ofThe D-Space Project is a core element of the the European European eTEN Work Program 2004,eTEN Work Program 2004, aiming to contribute to aiming to contribute to the immediate and the immediate and effective deployment of services for effective deployment of services for “An“An Information Society for All”.Information Society for All”.

Vision:Vision:Establishment of a modern distributed virtual Establishment of a modern distributed virtual “network” of science centres and robotic “network” of science centres and robotic telescopes all over the worldtelescopes all over the world, , accessed by accessed by students, educators, researchers and the wider students, educators, researchers and the wider public (e.g. amateur astronomers, visitors of public (e.g. amateur astronomers, visitors of science parks, etc.) via the universal Internet.science parks, etc.) via the universal Internet.

The D-Space Project in the Modern The D-Space Project in the Modern European SceneEuropean Scene

Innovation via the usage of the global Internet:Innovation via the usage of the global Internet:

Development & appropriate usage of a Development & appropriate usage of a modern modern web-based interfaceweb-based interface

Provision of multiple facilitiesProvision of multiple facilities together with a great together with a great variety of variety of tools for data manipulation, analysis and tools for data manipulation, analysis and access to access to an unlimited “library of information” and to an unlimited “library of information” and to extended resources/materialextended resources/material, , for lifelong learnersfor lifelong learners..

Facilities:Facilities:All potential users All potential users can continuously enjoy professional-can continuously enjoy professional-quality data,quality data, collected from local sites via the operation of collected from local sites via the operation of modern broadband facilitiesmodern broadband facilities, , permitting (always-on) on-line connection, permitting (always-on) on-line connection, at high speedat high speed, , and supporting multimedia optionsand supporting multimedia options..

D-Space: Opportunities for the D-Space: Opportunities for the dispersion-dissemination of knowledge dispersion-dissemination of knowledge

Potential Benefits:Potential Benefits:

Enhancement - promotion of science education Enhancement - promotion of science education for a “wider” public.for a “wider” public.

Enablement of learners to participate in the Enablement of learners to participate in the procedures of knowledge, by designing and procedures of knowledge, by designing and carrying out astronomy observations,carrying out astronomy observations, and creating and creating their own science activities and works. their own science activities and works.

Offering a great variety of “modern forms” of Offering a great variety of “modern forms” of digital content, from quite “fascinating areas” of digital content, from quite “fascinating areas” of scientific sectors.scientific sectors.

The Project can serve the purpose of:The Project can serve the purpose of:““Making astronomy a popular science for the non-Making astronomy a popular science for the non-

professional users”professional users”! !

Broadband Evolution: Broadband Evolution:

A “Pre-requisite” for the Effectiveness A “Pre-requisite” for the Effectiveness of the D-Space Initiativeof the D-Space Initiative

Broadband Facilities for the Broadband Facilities for the Effectiveness of the D-Space Project! Effectiveness of the D-Space Project!

Essential Features of the Activities performed:Essential Features of the Activities performed:

Usage of broadband communication channels as the Usage of broadband communication channels as the “basic means” for interaction and data transfer “basic means” for interaction and data transfer mechanismmechanism, between the telescopes and the remotely , between the telescopes and the remotely located users.located users.

Extended variety of on-line services/facilitiesExtended variety of on-line services/facilities for end- for end-users.users.

Guarantee/assurance for effective, always-on connectivityGuarantee/assurance for effective, always-on connectivity and and fast responsefast response of all of all related applications.related applications.

Conformance to basic attributes & applied practicesConformance to basic attributes & applied practices of the of the global “broadband” perspective. global “broadband” perspective.

““Alignment” to requirementsAlignment” to requirements imposed by modern imposed by modern European policy objectives.European policy objectives.

Broadband Facilities for the Broadband Facilities for the Effectiveness of the D-Space Project! Effectiveness of the D-Space Project!

Description of Project’s broadband exploitation:Description of Project’s broadband exploitation:

Broadband communication can create an appropriate Broadband communication can create an appropriate “physical backbone”“physical backbone” for bringing the knowledge for bringing the knowledge economy to every part of the world - economy to every part of the world - (International (International perspective).perspective).

The ability to generate and use knowledgeThe ability to generate and use knowledge (through (through science & skills or people) is the key to ensure that: science & skills or people) is the key to ensure that:

- Market operators can continue to innovate and - Market operators can continue to innovate and competecompete (productivity, innovation)(productivity, innovation) and; and; - Citizens can participate more fully in society - Citizens can participate more fully in society (better quality of life).(better quality of life).

Broadband offers Broadband offers enhanced options in terms of QoSenhanced options in terms of QoS. .

Distance education and entertainment/informative Distance education and entertainment/informative activities can become more practicalactivities can become more practical (efficiency)(efficiency) through the through the combined use of multimedia facilities, in combined use of multimedia facilities, in various formats various formats (convergence)(convergence). .

Broadband Facilities in a Multiplicity of Broadband Facilities in a Multiplicity of “Underlying” Infrastructures!“Underlying” Infrastructures!

Broadband is currently available mainly over existing Broadband is currently available mainly over existing infrastructure, in particular over the telephone copper infrastructure, in particular over the telephone copper network using network using ADSLADSL (Asymmetric Digital Subscriber (Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line) technology, and over Line) technology, and over cable TV networkscable TV networks using using cable modems. cable modems. (Immediate market “adoption”)(Immediate market “adoption”)

Under suitable terms and/or conditions, broadband Under suitable terms and/or conditions, broadband access can be also delivered over new types of networksaccess can be also delivered over new types of networks ((Fibre optic; Free-Space Optics;Fibre optic; Free-Space Optics; Fixed Wireless Access (FWA);Fixed Wireless Access (FWA); 3G, 3G+, 4G mobile systems;3G, 3G+, 4G mobile systems; R-LANs (Radio Local Area R-LANs (Radio Local Area Networks);Networks); satellite communication systemssatellite communication systems, etc.), etc.)

(Conformance to future network development)(Conformance to future network development)

Unlimited/unrestricted opportunities for several options:Unlimited/unrestricted opportunities for several options: - Interoperability- Interoperability - Interconnection - Interconnection - Interworking- Interworking (No specific or extra infrastructure is required!)(No specific or extra infrastructure is required!)

Broadband promotes and “affects” Broadband promotes and “affects” Internet penetrationInternet penetration

Internet is the most important medium for the transmission Internet is the most important medium for the transmission of information and communication!of information and communication!

Actions on broadband Actions on broadband can further affect the roll-out of can further affect the roll-out of Internet-based infrastructuresInternet-based infrastructures and and stimulate the stimulate the development of relevant content & applicationsdevelopment of relevant content & applications..

Major Benefits of Internet’s usage:Major Benefits of Internet’s usage: “ “Open” and transparent architecture, allowing various Open” and transparent architecture, allowing various adaptations & modifications;adaptations & modifications; “ “Unlimited” opportunities Unlimited” opportunities (i.e. high-speed, high capacity);(i.e. high-speed, high capacity); Ideal “platform” for promoting innovation; Ideal “platform” for promoting innovation; Accessibility by Accessibility by anyone, at any time, from any placeanyone, at any time, from any place!!

The D-Space service is directly addressing these goalsThe D-Space service is directly addressing these goals by offering immense opportunities of a “virtual”-innovative by offering immense opportunities of a “virtual”-innovative research laboratory for knowledge and entertainment!research laboratory for knowledge and entertainment!

Broadband is shaping European Future…Broadband is shaping European Future…

Achieving widespread access by all citizens Achieving widespread access by all citizens to new information society services and to new information society services and

applications, is a applications, is a “core” European priority“core” European priority..

Accessing services-applications via multiple terminals and Accessing services-applications via multiple terminals and by using several network platforms: by using several network platforms:

- - Creates significant economic and social opportunitiesCreates significant economic and social opportunities,,- - advances innovationadvances innovation, , - - offers freedom of choiceoffers freedom of choice and and - - enhances market competitionenhances market competition. .

These options are all basic pre-conditions These options are all basic pre-conditions for the success of the D-Space Project,for the success of the D-Space Project, in order to serve multiple users, at in order to serve multiple users, at multiple areas, by multiple equipment!multiple areas, by multiple equipment!

Creation and Distribution Creation and Distribution

of Innovative Content & Servicesof Innovative Content & Services

Request for Modern Digital Content: Request for Modern Digital Content: Current TrendsCurrent Trends

The evolution of the “digital era” and the The evolution of the “digital era” and the emergence of broadband emergence of broadband

influence drastically our every-day lifeinfluence drastically our every-day life, , by by stimulating access to knowledgestimulating access to knowledge and and

promoting new ways of acquiring informationpromoting new ways of acquiring information..

Although innovation in services is mainly “driven” by

new offerings (responding to customer demands) and

appropriate technology “adoption”,there are increasing claims for new

“content”, applications and services.

Request for Modern Digital Content: Request for Modern Digital Content: Current Trends & Market Practices Current Trends & Market Practices

Technological advances offer a strong potential

to add value to content in the form of “embedded” knowledge and

to improve interoperability at the service level,

which is fundamental to accessing and using digital content!

Request for Modern Digital Content: Request for Modern Digital Content: The “D-Space Response” The “D-Space Response”

Project’s Aims:Project’s Aims:

Offering “inventive” content from an immense variety of Offering “inventive” content from an immense variety of astronomy-related fieldsastronomy-related fields, in a fully converged environment., in a fully converged environment.

Offering specific content for educational/learning prioritiesOffering specific content for educational/learning priorities, , to satisfy requirements/needs from different “audiences”. to satisfy requirements/needs from different “audiences”.

Creation, updating, distribution and classification of Creation, updating, distribution and classification of innovative multimedia-oriented digital content in several innovative multimedia-oriented digital content in several (combined) formats(combined) formats (i.e. video, audio, films, images, photos, (i.e. video, audio, films, images, photos, texts, etc.).texts, etc.).

The thematic sources of astronomical-related activities are The thematic sources of astronomical-related activities are practically “unlimited”,practically “unlimited”,

and have always attracted human interests, for different and have always attracted human interests, for different reasons! reasons!

Request for Modern Digital Content in Request for Modern Digital Content in Education: The “D-Space Response” Education: The “D-Space Response”

Educational & Teaching Innovations:Educational & Teaching Innovations:

Opportunities to examine/study live scientific Opportunities to examine/study live scientific phenomena and experiments.phenomena and experiments.

Provision of data from “extended” databases, Provision of data from “extended” databases, to satisfy diverse users’ needs (particularly to satisfy diverse users’ needs (particularly to encourage e-Learning and teaching options). to encourage e-Learning and teaching options).

Promotion of (scientific and educational) Promotion of (scientific and educational) interactivity and collaboration, to facilitate the interactivity and collaboration, to facilitate the emergence of new, Internet-based, applications.emergence of new, Internet-based, applications.

Exploiting Content Offerings Exploiting Content Offerings in the Context of the D-Space Project in the Context of the D-Space Project

The ProjectThe Project fulfils satisfactorily essential fulfils satisfactorily essential market challenges for the creation/offering of market challenges for the creation/offering of content,content, in order to:in order to:

Ensure lasting accessibilityEnsure lasting accessibility Promote development of innovative Promote development of innovative

servicesservices. .

Management & dispersion of content Management & dispersion of content offeredoffered, , due to its specific naturedue to its specific nature, , can can support:support:

• Creativity, Creativity, • collaborative work, collaborative work, • adaptability, adaptability, • intercultural communicationintercultural communication. .

Exploiting Content Offerings Exploiting Content Offerings in the Context of the D-Space Project in the Context of the D-Space Project

The entire Project’s effectiveness is toThe entire Project’s effectiveness is to

Make the relevant digital informationMake the relevant digital information more more accessible, usable and exploitable.accessible, usable and exploitable.

Facilitate creation & Facilitate creation & on-lineon-line diffusion of data. diffusion of data.

Stimulate content enrichmentStimulate content enrichment ((in education & training programmes, in education & training programmes,

courses, and self-learning actions).courses, and self-learning actions).

Promote multimedia-based productsPromote multimedia-based products..

Market Replies to Content Offerings Market Replies to Content Offerings from the D-Space Scenariosfrom the D-Space Scenarios

Content can support market synergies and Content can support market synergies and advance the emergence of (added-value) advance the emergence of (added-value) services/facilities in a competitive and services/facilities in a competitive and liberalized environment…liberalized environment…

Content created in the context of the Project Content created in the context of the Project is fully conformant to current European is fully conformant to current European (regulatory and business) requirements and (regulatory and business) requirements and practices…practices…

Interoperability, user friendliness and Interoperability, user friendliness and accessibility (at affordable cost), accessibility (at affordable cost), all constitute issues to be considered…all constitute issues to be considered…

Concluding RemarksConcluding Remarks

Conclusions - 1Conclusions - 1

Education & training sectors are of “prime” Education & training sectors are of “prime” importance in the context of the European importance in the context of the European Information Society priorities. Information Society priorities.

High-bandwidth connectivity and High-bandwidth connectivity and high-quality content (and services), high-quality content (and services), are able to support innovative approaches & are able to support innovative approaches & methods, immediately applicable in the markets.methods, immediately applicable in the markets.

The D-Space Project supports novelty in The D-Space Project supports novelty in the sector of the knowledge-based the sector of the knowledge-based economy.economy.

Conclusions - 2Conclusions - 2

The D-Space Project supports The D-Space Project supports

usage & exploitation of appropriate broadband usage & exploitation of appropriate broadband

communicationscommunications development & offering of new forms of development & offering of new forms of

interactive contentinteractive content, able to be efficiently , able to be efficiently

accessed on multimedia environments, accessed on multimedia environments,

contributing to learning and teaching activitiescontributing to learning and teaching activities..

Both these issues are at the front-line of the Both these issues are at the front-line of the

contemporary European policies:contemporary European policies:

They help generate demand for new services They help generate demand for new services

They provide means to increase productivity.They provide means to increase productivity.

Ladies & Gentlemen, Ladies & Gentlemen,

Many Thanks for Your Attention!Many Thanks for Your Attention!