Advanced Internet Services: New opportunities for rural territorial development

Abstract

It is evident that, despite the existing diversity in European rural areas, there has been significant changes seen in them over the last two decades, both from a social and economic point of view. Although scientific literature still holds views generalising the most common problems affecting the rural areas, today it certainly must no longer be considered as a simple production surface. Rural areas are pluri-active and multifunctional spaces that provide values of high interest to society. Information and Communication Technologies contribute to the installation of new economic activities in these spaces, albeit both human capital and political initiatives are required to spread this reality throughout the European countryside, especially when it comes to the more peripheral areas at risk of abandonment.