stimulation of demand for broadband internet. Advantages for the new and future EU members are clear: educated work force, good experience in the development of information society, strong potential for economic growth due to the transition towards knowledge based economy. i2010 imposes that the EU should achieve positive growth in the next years and should bridge the broadband gap on geographical and economic level, as well as on the level of attractive digital contents and e-services. Taking into consideration the unfavourable position at the start, it is more than obvious that the Republic of Macedonia must make some additional efforts in order to achieve the growth of broadband penetration with significantly accelerated pace. Advantages of broadband internet access in EU is based on its application in: telemedicine and e-health (rural medical centres which engage top experts when needed, immovable patients and on-line monitoring, long-distance diagnostic), e-Government (crucial decentralisation and e-democracy), e-education (informal life learning, portals for e-studying, e-diary, long-distance learning at universities throughout the world), rural development (e-agribusiness applications, tourism, ICT centres and e-points) and ebusiness. Redistribution of knowledge and capital as crucial elements of decentralisation will only be possible if the competition in the broadband market is supported and encouraged from a legal point of view and from the point of view of infrastructure on the entire territory of the Republic of Macedonia. Common access speed in rural areas in EU that should also be accepted in our market varies between the minimum speed which is considered as broadband internet23 144kbps and 512kbps. In urban areas the average in 2005 was 512 – 1024 kbps, with a note that in developed states of EU this speed at the moment varies between 3-16 Mbps on average. II.7.3. Measures Preparation of Strategy for Broadband Internet The preparation of the strategy for broadband internet is an obligation arising from i2010 and eSEE 2005. The preparation of the strategy will be conducted in three phases: • Preparatory phase (analysis, the results of which are necessary prior the commencement of the drafting process of the document, identification of an multi sector expert team which will prepare the strategy, making a comparative analysis of European experiences regarding the design and implementation of national strategies for broadband internet). o Prior to the preparation of the strategy, a comprehensive SWOT analysis will be conducted and measuring of indicators related to preparation of 23 According to EUROSTAT, which means that dial-up and ISDN may not be considered as broadband. The same refers to any internet access which does not meet this minimum speed. Page 22 of 40