eMobility widens its scope and changes name

Uwe Herzog
Eurescom
herzog(at)eurescom.eu

The European Technology Platform (ETP) eMobility has changed its name and brand to “Net!Works ETP”. The main reason for this change was to reflect the extended scope of the platform which now also addresses fixed networks aspects. In addition, the growing use of the term e-mobility in the domain of electric cars seemed to make the name change inevitable.

Background of the relaunch

When eMobility was launched in 2005, the focus of the eMobility ETP was on mobile and wireless communications with an emphasis on the lower network layers. Since then there have been many changes in the ICT sector. Mobile communications, having been in the focus for many years, has become more and more a commodity, and the justification for being treated separately has decreased. Mobility is nowadays just one aspect among many that are relevant for the development of future broadband communications systems in which the border between fixed and mobile continues to blur.

Therefore the eMobility Steering Board already decided in the first half of 2010 to widen the scope of the platform to also address fixed networks aspects. In this context, the platform has established a closer link with the Photonics21 ETP which deals with optical communications. This area is becoming more relevant as the provider of the backbone for broadband systems. In addition, the term e-mobility is increasingly being used in the automotive area when referring to electric vehicles. The eMobility Steering Board has therefore decided to change the platform’s name to Net!Works. The new name and white papers with new messages were launched during the Future Internet Week in Ghent from 13-17 December 2010 (see photos).

Current activities and plans for 2011

In 2010, the ETP started the discussion on Framework Programme 8 and worked on Grand Societal Challenges. ICT will increasingly be used as a key enabler for other industry sectors and other areas of society. Net!Works will contribute to societal challenges such as energy, climate change, transport, health and the ageing population. Three position papers have been published by Net!Works on its contributions to solving the Grand Societal Challenges. They highlight how Net!Works can help connecting health applications, transport, and the energy and environmental monitoring sectors for a smarter society. The latest version of the Strategic Research and Applications Agenda is a basis for contributing new research challenges. Framework Programme 8 and associated activities will be a major task for 2011.

More information is available on the Net!Works website at: www.networks-etp.eu.

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