Plan France Numérique

June 2020

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Strategies and Action Plans

The Plan France Numérique 2020 aims to position France as a global leader in the digital economy by fostering the development of the Services and Technologies of Information and Communication (STIC) sector. This comprehensive strategy is designed to integrate public policies to support the growth and convergence of the digital industry in France.

Key Areas of Focus:

  1. Development of High-Speed Broadband Infrastructure:
    • The plan emphasizes the necessity of high-speed broadband as a fundamental infrastructure for the digital economy. It sets a target for 80% of the French population to have access to very high-speed networks by 2016. Achieving this goal requires new governance and investment models, leveraging both public and private sector resources.
  2. Promotion of Legal Online Content:
    • To address challenges faced by cultural industries due to digital advancements, the plan promotes legal online content. This involves public promotion efforts and educational initiatives to combat piracy, ensuring that compensation for private copying only covers the actual loss from such activities.
  3. Societal Challenges:
    • The plan includes strategies to address specific societal issues, such as aging. For example, it supports the development of e-health and telehealth services, which are essential for managing healthcare costs and improving care for an aging population. The plan aims to create conditions for the expansion of telehealth services both domestically and internationally​.
  4. Support for SMEs:
    • Recognizing the role of SMEs in driving growth and employment, the plan proposes several measures to support them, such as creating a single information portal for accessing support and simplifying administrative processes. It also suggests enhancing collaborative projects and networking opportunities among SMEs, large companies, financiers, and other stakeholders​(2011_france_numerique_f…)​.
  5. Responsible Corporate Practices (RSE):
    • The plan encourages companies to integrate Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) as a competitive advantage. It promotes the inclusion of CSR criteria in public procurement and supports voluntary sector agreements that define good CSR practices.
  6. Pragmatic Network Neutrality:
    • The plan advocates for a practical approach to network neutrality, ensuring that the internet remains an open and non-discriminatory space. It stresses maintaining a transparent and equitable management of internet traffic across different service types, applying these principles equally to both fixed and mobile internet.

Implementation and Monitoring:

  • The creation of a STIC sector observatory is recommended to analyze and understand the industry’s dynamics and support informed decision-making. This observatory will identify strengths and weaknesses in the digital economy, aiding in the strategic positioning of France as a digital leader on the global stage.