Overview

The Swedish government has instituted many policies to promote the advancement of ICT across businesses, households and educational facilities. Legislation passed by the government is under constant review to keep up with the continual evolution of information technology. As part of the EU, Sweden is responsible for keeping its policies in step with the regulations that are being established by the European Union. The overall goal for the EU is to create a unified information technology structure so that all e-communications networks and services are controlled by the same regulations and are able to work seamlessly with each other. As a result of the my extensive research on this topic, I am convinced that Swedish ICT policies are having the desired effect and securing Sweden's role as one of the most advanced nations in this area.

Government IT Legislation Initiatives

The Swedish Ministry of Transport, Industry and Communications is responsible for two major areas of interest within ICT; ensuring efficient and secure electronic communications, and creating an information society for all the citizens of Sweden. 

1. Electronic Communications Policy

Objective: The main goal is to "ensure that individuals and government agencies have access to efficient and secure electronic communications" (1). The Ministry of Transport Industry and Communications aim to only provide the highest quality of services in this area in order to further promote Sweden as one of the most advanced nations in terms of ICT.

They list the following as the steps that need to be taken to achieve this goal:

•  establish conditions for effective competition, free of distortion and limitations

•  promote international harmonization

•  state should bear responsibility in areas in which public interests cannot be satisfied by the market alone (1)

New Legislation: Electronic Communications Act (2003)

This Act is based on EU regulations and was designed to replace the outdated Telecommunications Act of 1993 and the Radio Communications Act of 1993. It covers electronic communications networks and services, as well as the associated facilities and services. (2)

2. An Information Society for All

The government passed the bill "An information society for all" in June 2000. The bill is made up of two important components, a new IT Policy objective and an action plan with which to achieve it.

Objective: Sweden will be the first country to be an information society for all.

Action Plan:

•  IT Legislation: i.e. Electronic Signatures bill passed in May 2000

•  Investment in Education: IT competence enhancing programs

•  Investment in Infrastructure and Services: Construction of a national IT infrastructure program

Areas of priority:

•  IT Accessibility: ""Households and businesses in all parts of Sweden should acquire access to IT infrastructure with a high transfer capacity."

•  IT Competence: Implement educational measures to achieve IT competence

•  IT Confidence: "regulations and systems in the IT area should enhance confidence by being secure, predictable, technology-neutral, and international, and by protecting the integrity of the individual." (Source: Follow-up of Swedish Government IT Policy (3) )

R&D

The Swedish government is very active in supporting R&D in order to promote their overall business sector and encourage innovation and product development. Technical R&D, which includes IT, biotechnology and materials technology has assumed the position of being a very high priority. Communication research is also an important field of study according to Swedish policy. (4)