What is Smart? Smart ICT

Germany Trade & Invest "GERMANY. SMART SOLUTIONS. SMARTER BUSINESS." campaign message highlighting Germany's role as Europe's leading ICT nation.

The Digital Information Age

In today's information age, knowledge has become one of, if not the most, important market success factors for modern business.

Better and more efficient management of online information is crucial to business success, making previously unheard of services and products a market reality.

As a result, the internet we know it is changing fast, as new applications and services are created to respond to increased demand for a smarter internet information experience.

Intelligent Network Infrastructure

In order to create a smart, sustainable and inclusive economy, it is imperative that the appropriate network infrastructure is put in place. Secure and reliable telecommunications networks and intelligent network platforms are the foundation upon which the smart knowledge economy is being built.

In the modern world, broadband networks have the same importance to successful business operations as fully functioning road, public transport, water, and power supply infrastructure. This is why Germany is rolling out a blanket broadband network coverage plan which will provide 75 percent of German households with high-speed broadband (50 Mbit/s) by as early as 2014 - significantly surpassing the EU's 2013 and 2020 Digital Agenda targets. 

Smart Working

Intelligent network infrastructure makes provision for the very different ways in which we live and work today. Modern work practices, made possible by enabling online communications technologies, are helping reduce greenhouse gas emission levels.

Smart working, whether from home or in so-called smart work centers, allow individuals at different locations to work together using ICT-based applications which significantly reduce unnecessary business commuting and travel time.

The Internet of the Future

To prepare for the internet of the future, Germany is investing in broadband infrastructure to ensure that three quarters of all German households have high-speed (50 Mbit/s)  internet access by 2014. Next generation IP-based networks bring tomorrow's information-rich smart internet a step closer, allowing interactive smart education, energy, health, and transport platforms to be built to address changing economic and social needs.

In order to achieve its ambitious smart internet goals, Germany is adopting an incentives-based approach that will:

• capitalize on synergies in infrastructure construction;
• guarantee supportive frequency policies;
• commit to growth and innovation-geared regulation;
• provide appropriate financial support.

Digital Germany 2015

The "Digital Germany 2015" ICT strategy, developed by the Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology in coordination with other relevant ministries, forms the overarching framework for the country's ICT policy; combining clear targets with specific measures in the fields of ICT and new media. These include:

• supporting small and medium-sized businesses and the crafts sector through new federal government initiatives and funding programs;
• pressing forward with research and development on new technologies such as the internet of things, the internet of services, cloud computing, 3D technology, and ICT for the electromobility sector;
• continuing the multi-stakeholder dialogue on the future design of German ICT policy
• enhancing security and trust in the digital world for every citizen, every business, and all government authorities;
• promoting education and media skills to boost the effective use of new technologies.

One of the key objectives of the ICT strategy is the development of intelligent networks in the energy, traffic, health, education and administration sectors based on a well developed broadband infrastructure. Broadband networks have the same importance to successful business operations as fully functioning road, public transport, water, and power supply infrastructure.

Germany's ICT strategy adheres to the objectives of the "Digital Agenda for Europe" of the European Union. The Digital Agenda is Europe's strategy for a flourishing digital economy by 2020.

The Internet of Things

The "Internet of Things" refers to a world in which everyday objects and devices communicate with each other for seamless interoperability.

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The Internet of Applications & Services

The Internet of Applications & Services will see more products and services being made available on so-called "cloud" computing platforms. Germany is widely recognized as a global leader in the research and development of the semantic web (web 3.0).

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