include the above-mentioned areas, if they are strongly and innovatively related to areas that are given priority in terms of technology and content. 6.1 Broadband and Other Electronic Communications Infrastructure 6.1.1 Importance of the Field The development of an information society or knowledge-based society is based on the general use of ICT and the internet in all fields of social life and creativity. A precondition for this is an omnipresent high-capacity electronic communications infrastructure and accessible electronic communication services. Economic and general development in contemporary digital society is closely connected with the development of high-quality broadband infrastructure that is the basis for the development and use of the internet. Strategic planning shall therefore follow the development of omnipresent highcapacity broadband infrastructure (fixed and mobile) that will be open and accessible to all end users; otherwise unequal possibilities of inclusion in the information society could occur. Accessible broadband infrastructure throughout the state territory enables a balanced development, reduces the digital divide and increases the involvement of individuals in contemporary social movements. In terms of directing development, the internet is a strategic tool for increasing productivity, creating innovative business models, products and services, making communication more efficient, and increasing the overall efficiency of the society. Studies have established a strong correlation between broadband penetration and economic growth, as well as a positive impact on employment and productivity. According to the OECD study, there is a direct correlation between the penetration of broadband services and GDP growth – a 10% increase in broadband connectivity can be expected to raise per-capita GDP growth by 0.9 to 1.5 percentage points14. Another study demonstrates that the use of broadband connections influences the growth of productivity and innovation in enterprises15. Broadband networks in rural areas enable a balanced development of the countryside and create a favourable environment for the development of SMEs. The development of broadband infrastructure in rural areas is hampered by scattered settlement patterns and low population density, so private investors generally do not manage to carry out sustainable investment projects. Slovenia will therefore use public funds to co-finance projects of private and public partnerships for constructing infrastructure in white areas where appropriate infrastructure is not available and where there is no commercial interest in its construction, either. Infrastructure development and electronic communications services are largely dependent on the efficiency of the electronic communications market, so Slovenia will promote competitiveness, transparent regulation and stable legislation - regulatory framework. By establishing a stable and predictable business environment, Slovenia will encourage electronic communications operators to make private investments in the development of electronic communications infrastructure and services. 14 http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/treg/broadband/ITU-BB-Reports_Impact-of-Broadband-on-the-Economy.pdf Labour Market Review, 3(10), 18-27 15 Franklin, M., P. Stam, and T. Clayton (2009), "ICT Impact Assessment by Linking Data," Economic and DIGITAL SLOVENIA 2020 - Development strategy for the information society until 2020 25