Digital Britain

From Digipedia

In October 2008 the UK Government commissioned Lord Stephen Carter, Minister for Communications and Broadcasting to produce “a comprehensive analysis of our digital economy… the work has at its core an ambition to accelerate the rate of growth, and cement the UK’s position as a world leader in the knowledge and learning economy to produce an action plan to secure the UK’s place at the forefront of innovation, investment and quality in the digital and communications industries”. (DCMS press release).

Digital Britain interim report

The interim report was published on 29th January 2009 outlining a programme with five objectives to be delivered by 2012:

Upgrading and modernising our digital networks – wired, wireless and broadcast – so that Britain has an infrastructure that enables it to remain globally competitive in the digital world;
A dynamic investment climate for UK digital content, applications and services, that makes the UK an attractive place for both domestic and inward investment in our digital economy;
UK content for UK users: content of quality and scale that serves the interests, experiences and needs of all UK citizens; in particular impartial news, comment and analysis;
Fairness and access for all: universal availability coupled with the skills and digital literacy to enable near-universal participation in the digital economy and digital society; and 5. Developing the infrastructure, skills and take-up to enable the widespread online delivery of public services and business interface with Government.

The final report is expected in summer 2009.

Implications of the Digital Britain study

The Digital Britain study is the most recent of a number of UK Government strategic documents that have explored the implications and value of ICT in specific service environments and the potential cumulative impact of new technologies for the economy and social well-being. Digital Britain takes a holistic view, the intention being “to build on the existing strengths of the UK in the field of digital information and communications”. (For example, digital satellite; the development of GSM; affordable higher-speed broadband; the development and deployment of universal digital terrestrial television; pioneering digital radio; and the UK’s leading position in global entertainment formats, advertising, marketing services and research).

The purpose of the interim report is to assess the readiness of the UK fully to exploit the dramatic shift to digital technology as the basis of huge parts of our economy and private lives. The interim report, designed to bring both focus and stimulus to the sector, identifies 22 actions that will form the basis of the strategic plan to be presented in the final Report, due mid-2009. These actions cover the following topics:

Next generation access networks
Mobile wireless networks
Digital television networks
Digital radio networks
Digital content
Rights and distribution
Original UK content
Network universal connectivity
Take up of universally available broadband
Digital media literacy

In the broadest sense all aspects of these action areas are important to the future development of public e-content services since the development of universal access across a range of platforms is an essential prerequisite to future success. However there is particular significance in three actions that focus on the exploitation of public content. Not as might be expected under the heading digital content, but under heading nine – ‘take up of universally available broadband’. There, three recommendations offer some traction to the future exploitation of public e-content services and convergence to increase service accessibility:

ACTION 19 - We will encourage the development of public service champions of universal take-up. The Digital Inclusion Action Plan recommended the appointment of a Digital Inclusion Champion and expert taskforce to drive the Government’s work on digital inclusion. Clearly, the work of the Champion will be important in encouraging take-up.

ACTION 20 - We are inviting the BBC to play a leading role, just as it has in digital broadcast, through marketing, cross-promotion and provision of content to drive interest in taking up broadband. With other public service organisations, the BBC can drive the development of platforms with open standards available to all content providers and device manufacturers alike.

ACTION 21 - A Public Service Delivery plan: we commit to ensure that public services online are designed for ease of use by the widest range of citizens, taking advantage of the widespread uptake of broadband to offer an improved customer experience and encourage the shift to online channels in delivery and service support.

Carter concludes his introduction to the interim report with the following ambition for the future impact of digital information and communications in the UK:

If, in the final Report we make the right decisions, we can create an effective programme and partnership for the Digital Economy; one that can drive the upgrading of our digital networks, significantly enhance our national competitive position in these critical markets, secure competition for choice and quality in content, connect with the interests of the rising, digital generation and improve access, affordability and inclusion for all. This is the prize on offer: it will require a common effort to deliver it.