ETSI’s human factors contribution to eEurope

Abstract

This article describes the most recent development in the European telecommunications industry from the end-user perspective, considering generic user interface elements for interaction with mobile communication systems, as described in a series of European Telecommunication Standards Institute (ETSI) deliverables. It also reports the results of work from recent and ongoing activities in the ETSI Technical Committee Human Factors (TCHF), performed by major industry representatives under the European Commission’s eEurope Initiative. The availability of a standardised set of universal, generic interaction elements increases the transfer of knowledge to use mobile devices and services, improves the overall usability of the entire interactive mobile environment and improves access for all. Such a transfer becomes even more important in a world of ubiquitous devices and services to the young, elderly and disabled.