The fully digital mammography system Mammomat Novation by Siemens Medical Solutions has now been approved for mobile screening. For the first time, breast cancer screenings are performed with digital systems built into trailer trucks. The trailers are connected to a stationary screening center where the final diagnosis is made. This type of mobile digital breast cancer screening is especially suitable for women living in rural communities or those who are more homebound than before. In Germany, women between 50 and 69 years of age are entitled to free mammography examinations every other year.

The information and communication technology (ICT) sector is a key contributor to growth in the EU. Meeting for the first time yesterday, the new Task Force – launched by the European Commission – will tackle barriers to competition and the competitiveness of the ICT sector. The ICT Task Force is composed of high-level representatives of the ICT industry and of civil society. This is one of several Commission initiatives that aim to help create a more favourable environment for business in the EU.

The European Parliament has adopted the first "Competitiveness and Innovation Framework Programme" (CIP). Between 2007 and 2013, some 350,000 small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) will receive € 3.6 billion in EU support to invest in all forms of innovation and growth. The new programme will support actions to help enterprises and industry to innovate. It will also boost energy efficiency and renewable energy sources, environmental technologies and a better use of information and communication technology (ICT). The final adoption in Council will follow in the coming weeks.

Businesses, individuals and public administrations in Europe still underestimate the risks of insufficiently protecting networks and information. Security presently represents only around 5-13% of IT expenditure, which is alarmingly low. The Commission is therefore promoting greater awareness, in a policy document adopted today, through an open and inclusive multi-stakeholder dialogue on a new IT Security Strategy for Europe. A partnership amongst Member States, involving the IT industry and users as well as the European network security agency ENISA should lead to more trustworthy, secure and reliable information and communication technologies. People and organisations must be empowered to look after their own interests and responsibilities.

The growing interest and investment in telecare is welcome for the delivery of efficient social and health care, particularly for clients in the comfort of their own homes. Government plans the availability of a wide range and number of monitoring devices to be made available for improved services to a greatly increased number of citizens. BroadCare provides the management platform for effective operational management of these services.

Frost & Sullivan recently presented its 2006 Medical Imaging Growth Award and 2005 Award for Excellence in Technology to Siemens Medical Solutions. Each year the Medical Imaging Growth Award is given to a company that has demonstrated an exceptional growth strategy within its industry. Siemens was chosen this year in recognition of its renewed commitment to pursue innovative growth strategies that forge the way for continued market expansion and sustained industry ascendancy.

The Seventh Framework Programme (FP7) will be more inclusive for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) than its predecessors, Janez Potocnik, EU Commissioner for Science and Research, assured participants attending a conference on SME participation in the Framework Programme in Kortrijk, Belgium, on 23 May.

SMEs are vital to the European economy, with approximately 25 million of them accounting for close to two-thirds of Europe's employment and GDP.