| FRANCE | Networked World | ||
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| Country Overview | Network Access | Network Learning | Network Society | Network Economy | Network Policy | Offshore Opportunity | Analysis of Readiness |
Analysis of ReadinessSummary
Network Access Readiness
Network Learning Readiness
Network Society Readiness
Network Economy Readiness
Network Policy Readiness
On the average, France is at Stage 4 of Readiness for the Networked World. France has positioned herself at Stage 4 in all ICT categories except Networked Society, at Stage 3.
Widespread access to telecommunications and networks, affordability, availability of leased lines, network speed, quality and service all allow France to enjoy a position of Stage 4 of Network Access.
Overall, France Networked Learning falls within Stage 4, with the exception of Enhancing Education which is at Stage 3. Both secondary schools and colleges have reached 90% access levels for computers being used. However, France needs to focus on increasing the amount of computers in the primary schools from 60 to at least 90%.
At varying stages in the Networked Society, the analysis indicates that the French are at Stage 3. The need for more integration into society and the workplace prevents France from being at the highest stage of ICT Networked Society.
The Networked Economy of France is at stage 4 because a high level technical skill amongst the employees is growing. A lot of companies are demanding high skilled workers. France is doing business online and B2B transactions are growing.
The Network Policy of France is at Stage 4 partly because of deregulation preventing France Telecom from continuing to be a monopoly. The low fees involved with the trade of ICT goods, place France at Stage 4 in Trade Policy.
The government's commitment to make technology available to all its population by supplying the needed infrastructure, training and affordability of resources places France in an excellent position for readiness. There are still areas of network access that have room for improvement but overall the platform is set for a powerful and widespread ICT. For instance more competition would benefit the market; FT is very strong, and although that benefits the advance and distribution of the technology, it also limits consumer's choices. Due to the widespread access to telecommunications and network access in metropolitan and rural areas alike, Information Infrastructure enjoys a position in stage 4. The number of ISPs and the range of services they provide for businesses and individuals are adequate but public access is still not as common, placing France on stage 3 in Internet Availability and also on Hardware and Software which represent a thriving economic sector but don't have above average characteristics. Affordability on the other hand reaches stage 4 with flat rates, tiered pricing plans and availability of leased lines. As far as Network Speed and Quality and Service and Support, they are also in stage 4 with high levels of broadband deployment, efficient backbone routers and fiber optics networks as well as numerous call centers that offer expeditious, high-quality services. Finally, France has a dense and efficient transport network and logistics market that can facilitate the readiness of the country in non-ICT areas as well.
According to the Networked Learning guidelines France understands that enhancing education plays an important role in developing the skills needed to make selective decisions about the application of technology. Overall, France Networked Learning falls within Stage 4, with the exception of Enhancing Education. In regards to Schools accessing information and communication technologies, both secondary schools and colleges have reached 90% access levels for computers being used. With primary schools following behind at a 60% level, they are operating at an acceptable level. As far as Developing the ICT Workforce, the government is constantly creating opportunities to provide the public and workforce with training materials to stay educated on the evolving world of technology. It is apparent that firms need research, tools and new concepts in order to compete amongst the growing new market trends in technology. The only enhancements France should focus on regarding Networked Learning would be to increase the amount of computers allocated in the primary schools from 60 to at least 90% in order to reach the levels of secondary schools and colleges.
The French have made great progress since 1998 and are still improving at incorporating ICT’s into their society for public use, in the workplace and for a diverse population. This is not surprising since the private sector usually lags behind large corporations and government in incorporating IT into their lives, in all countries. At varying stages in the Networked Society, overall the analysis indicates that the French are at Stage 3. Although the private business sector got a slow start in generating widespread interest with the public in E-commerce and individuals seemed to be somewhat complacent, France’s government’s great effort to incorporate ICT’s into its society has been successful, raising the level to Stage 3. If the opportunities that now exist in France are capitalized upon within the next year, France could rise quickly to stage 4. While France may have been slower than some other European countries and the US in joining the ICT revolution, she is catching up. Since the late 1990’s, when she would have been rated at Stage 2 in some areas and the low end of Stage 3 in others, France has been quickly changing. Both government leaders and world leading organizations have rallied to ensure that France is not left behind in the ICT world. Only in the area of Network Society is France at Stage 3. B2C, the digital divide and increased use in education still could improve. If the French want to rise to Stage 4, they will have to follow through on the commitments of government and the predictions of analysts for society at large.
The networked economy of France is at stage 4 because a high level technical skill amongst the employees is growing. A lot of companies are demanding high skilled workers. Technology is considered vital for the organization so companies are not hiring unskilled people. Many companies have adapted to the idea of World Wide Web. B2C e-commerce has become common but companies face the problem that people do not trust these companies. French people want to look and touch a thing before buying it, which is not possible, online. Despite these problems, France is still doing business online. France has a procurement service provider which monitors the cost of the purchases customer do online. Overall B2B transactions are growing and are being noticed within the community. Most of the government related key information is posted online and people can fill out the tax forms online.
The networked policy of France is at stage 4 because, before France Telecom Company was the only one that people used to use at home and business but now because of the deregulation France Telecom is not a monopoly anymore. The telephone regulatory was set up and mobile phones were introduced. A lot of small companies introduced phone services at home and at business. Mobile telephone has experienced a tremendous growth in France. ICT trade policy in France at stage 4 because there are either very low fees involved with the trade of ICT goods. Many foreign countries are investing in France especially the south of France is in a lot of demand. There is no restriction on the import of hardware and software.