It is clear that the benefits of communication technologies and services extend far beyond commercial centres and metropolitan areas.

However, as reported by the European Commission, "in 2005, broadband was available to only about 60% of businesses and households in the remote and rural areas of the EU15, compared to over 90% in the urban areas. In the new Member States, the gap is even greater".

EURespond brings together all interested communities concerned with information society, regional and rural development policies to:

• raise awareness: increasing the strategic dimension that ICTs should have for both rural and structural funds;
• enhance and contribute to the synergies among relevant Community policies in the fields of information society, cohesion, rural development and competition;
• assist policy-makers in the identification of best practices illustrating the benefits of ICT for the promotion of rural and regional/local development.

EURespond notably strongly believes that wide broadband coverage in Europe is crucial for fostering growth and jobs in Europe. This is why European eCommunications legislation, structural and rural policy instruments need to be mobilised in full respect of state aid rules in a joint drive to bring high-speed “broadband” internet access to all Europeans, in particular to the EU’s less-developed areas.