Insufficient offer of ICT services. The ICT sector in the Czech Republic struggles with low growth and low competitiveness with regard to the offer of new information systems, ICT solutions, new software products, applications and services. Another problem are the underdeveloped shared services, closely connected to information and communication technology that should lead to a decrease in process costs and increased efficiency in business and in other sectors of human activities. Development needs: Strengthening the creation (development) and operation of ICT applications and services, including shared services which include construction and upgrading of data centres. The potential of „e-commerce, business-to-business (B2B) e-services“ will be enhanced with an emphasis on the partial aspects of the given areas e.g. by supporting the creation of new sophisticated ICT solutions, including the creation of modern and progressive digital services and applications, by supporting the provision of sophisticated shared services, including the construction and modernisation of data centres, by supporting the expansion, interconnection, consolidation of the data fund of public administration and its effective and safe use according to the different activities and on the "opendata" principle, by supporting modernisation of information and communication systems for specific needs of public administration bodies, by supporting the establishment and equipment of public bodies for ICT infrastructure protection and ensuring controlled and safe sharing of public administration data (here is a partial link to problem area Public Administration). The specific needs and challenges of urban and rural areas and cross-border regions: o Network capacity, including broadband, must be increased in towns and their vicinities. o In rural areas, the access to broadband internet must be ensured, which refers to the above mentioned areas known as white and grey areas of the Czech Republic mentioned in the above development need. Links to EU documents Europe 2020 strategy The ICT area is not linked directly to any quantified targets of Europe 2020 strategy, it follows the links to the targets defined in the EU Digital Agenda: Digital Programme for Europe Initiative. Integrated guideline 4 “Optimising support for R&D and innovation, strengthening the knowledge triangle and unleashing the potential of the digital economy", partially 6 "Improving the business and consumer environment and modernising the industrial base in o...
