Roadmap for growth and prosperity - an updated IT policy

Digital infrastructure

IT&Telecom companies have produced a report with proposals on how IT and communications technology can help Sweden emerge more quickly from the crisis, create new jobs and economic growth

Studies show that IT and communication technologies are of great importance for growth, development and prosperity. Widespread use of IT leads to innovation and new businesses, which in turn creates export opportunities and the conditions for building a long-term sustainable society. IT is also crucial to solving major strategic challenges such as climate change, an ageing population and increased global competition.

"We call for a political vision for Sweden's continued path into the information society. It should be formulated as a roadmap with clearly stated guidelines and goals so that business, the public sector and citizens know what applies. This is lacking today", says Anne-Marie Fransson, Director of IT & Telecom Sweden.

The report contains a number of suggestions and recommendations. These include the following:

  • Ensure continued broadband deployment. For economic, industrial, democratic and social reasons, the state must formulate a vision of how everyone can access the Internet.
  • The e-delegation must formulate credible strategies for the entire public sector. Authorities, municipalities and county councils must be encouraged to use collaborative e-services to improve efficiency and service to citizens.
  • Developing new services for tomorrow's health and social care needs. IT is a prerequisite for coping with a doubling of the number of people in need of care.
  • Formulate a national action program on how to reduce the impact of IT and telecom solutions on the environment and thus contribute to achieving climate goals.
  • Schools' work on digital literacy must be made more concrete, including how these competences are to be included in teacher training and in the in-service training of teachers and school leaders.
  • Copyright needs to be adapted to the possibilities of the digital society. Particular attention must be paid to how to promote cultural dissemination.
  • The future supply and demand of IT graduates from universities and colleges must be analyzed. Particular attention must be paid to the content of training and whether it meets current needs.

The report was presented in connection with a seminar on July 1 during Almedalen Week.