More focus on the information society

The parliamentary parties agree that Sweden must invest in IT, but not much has been done in recent terms of office, says Mikael von Otter, business policy expert at IT&Telekomföretagen, when he opens the election debate on the consequences of and priorities in the information society on August 18 at Kulturhuset in Stockholm.

The debate in Kulturhuset is the second debate of the summer on the topic. The youth associations debated in Almedalen. Panelists are: Per Bolund (MP) Egon Frid (V), Henrik Hansson, (C), Désirée Liljewall(S), Camilla Lindberg, (FP), Lars-Axel Nordell(KD), and Henrik von Sydow (M).

Moderator Annika Dopping asks what vision and passion politicians have when it comes to IT.

- The entire population should have the opportunity to acquire digital skills. There should be infrastructure throughout the country, says Desirée Liljewall (S).

- Politicians must ensure that directives are implemented. We cannot tell them what will be the next successful IT service," says Henrik Hansson (C).

- IT will become as important as other infrastructure, roads and trains. Rural and urban areas are drifting apart. Modern technology should be for everyone," says Egon Frid (V).

Infrastructure, participation and inclusion are key

Both the panelists and the audience had the chance to answer questions using mentometer buttons. When asked about the most important areas for ranking Sweden as an IT nation, the panel identified infrastructure, digital participation and use, and the integration of IT in all areas of society.

- I answered digital inclusion. If everyone is involved, the rest will follow," says Desirée Lindwall (S).

- If the infrastructure is not in place, it is difficult to implement the rest, such as participation and being present in all areas of society," says Lars-Axel Nordell (KD).

The audience thinks that integration in all areas of society is most important.

Who should own the network is a difficult question

On the question of who should own the terrestrial network, the answers are less clear. All panelists agree that this is a difficult question with no obvious answer.

- I find it hard to see a public solution. It does not provide world-class broadband. I believe in a privately or jointly owned company," says Henrik von Sydow (M).

- The terrestrial network should be owned by a public company, but it does not have to be a monopoly, says Per Bolund (MP)

- It works well today, why change? asks Henrik Hansson (C).

Both Egon Frid and Desirée Liljewall think that the issue needs to be investigated further. It is not possible today to answer how the issue should be resolved.

If I were the IT Minister...

Annika Dopping asked the panelists to look into the future and tell us what they would do if they became the Minister responsible for IT after the election.

- "I would put a lot of pressure on the public sector. IT should always be the first choice in all matters," says Per Bolund (MP).

- "Municipalities and county councils must see the opportunities with IT. I would encourage them to create their own IT strategies, not wait for the state," says Lars-Axel Nordell (KD).

- There must be a change in attitude. I think IT should be a basic industry," says Camilla Lindberg (FP).

The debate ends with a summary by Johan Hallsenius, editor-in-chief of Computer Sweden. He takes the opportunity to give the politicians some advice on how they can reach out with their IT policy.

- The party that presents a well thought-out and slightly provocative policy for IT in schools, for example, will create a real vote magnet," says Johan Hallsenius.

See the audience's opinion on the questions answered by the politicians.

Text: Ann-Charlotte Geissler
Photo: Karin Bäcklund

Check out all the mentometer questions and results here!