The government considers the national info-communication sector and the economic and social development opportunities inherent in it to be of special significance, also acknowledging the importance of state impetus. The National Info-communication Strategy approved at the latest government session outlines the primary objectives of the 2014-2020 period focusing on the fields of digital infrastructure, competence, economy and state.

The national information and communication technologies (ICT) sector accounts for cca 12% of the Hungarian GDP. The number of employees in the sector is outstandingly high in Hungary compared to most OECD countries. Suitable developments could make ICT one of the take-off points for the Hungarian economy as well as create workplaces producing exportable products of a high added value.

The situation analysis of the Strategy reveals, at the same time, that the conscious use of info-communication tools by the Hungarian population as well as small and medium enterprises (SME) is rather low. Hungary can only perform well in EU and global competition if the obstacles blocking the further upswing of the sector are considerately and consistently dismantled.

A major governmental goal on the basis of the Strategy is to establish the necessary digital infrastructure. It is the government’s firm intention that every household should have internet access of at least 30 Mbps and at least half of them of 100Mbps or faster by 2018. According to plans, the full range of the National Telecommunication Backbone Network is to be established by 2016. Further goals are that the mobile broadband coverage should reach 95% by 2016, by which date broadband internet access of at least 20Mbps should be accessible for all educational institutions.

In the field of digital competences, the most important task is to develop the digital skills of citizens, enterprises (primarily SME’s) and public administration employees. The major aspiration is that the rate of the digitally illiterate among the adult population should be reduced to 40% by 2016 and 30% by 2020, and that the indicator of regular internet use should reach 65% by 2016. According to the target values set in the strategy, 90% of micro and small enterprises could have internet access by 2016 and 99% by 2020.

The pillar of digital economy comprises the development of the ITC sector in the narrower sense, electronic (commercial, bank, etc.) services and corporate IT systems as well as the stimulation of R&D and innovation activities. The intentions are to double the number of persons attending ICT trainings as well as the value of Hungarian software and services exports by 2020, compared to the current indicators. If the strategic goals are met, one third of SME’s may administer their transactions online by the end of this decade.

The tools of establishing the digital state are providing the adequate info-communication background and developing e-services improving citizens’ quality of living. As an effort towards these goals, the uniform governmental IT background to be set up by 2016 may enable citizens and enterprises to manage the full range of their public administration affairs online by 2018.

The Strategy lays the basis for info-communication developments to be implemented in the period of 2014-2020, the majority of which are to be financed from the Priority Axis of Info-communication Developments within the Economic Development and Innovation Operational Programme, in a value of several hundred billion forints.

(Ministry of National Development, Communications Department)