Digital Britain: the key points

The government has issued its long-awaited Digital Britain report and Web User outlines the key points here.

Digital Britain: reactions

The report broadly outlined five objectives of the government's digital policy. They are:

>> To upgrade and modernise the UK's digital network

>> To encourage investment in UK digital content

>> To provide content that will benefit all UK citizens

>> Universal delivery of broadband services in the UK

>> A more effective delivery of public services online

Actions

The government also outlined 22 actions it intended to take to achieve these goals, some of which are outlined below.

>> A strategy group will be established to assess the necessary steps that need to be taken to roll out a high-speed, next-generation broadband network

>> Removing barriers to developing a wider wholesale market in the UK, meaning that it will investigate the possibility of other providers will have more access to BT's network, as well as unbundled (LLU) networks and existing fibre-optic networks including Virgin Media's

>> Making more radio spectrum available for next-generation mobile services including mobile broadband

>> Investigating the possibility of greater mobile network sharing, meaning that mobile operators could share their networks with other mobile providers, potentially improving signal coverage

>> Creating a plan for migrating radio onto digital networks. This will happen when 50 per cent of radio listening is done on digital networks and when DAB coverage is comparable to FM coverage

>> Creation of a rights agency to tackle the problems of copyright infringement online over peer-to-peer networks, examining technical copyright protections solutions

>> Looking at how the enforcement of copyright law in the UK can be funded

>> Legislation to require ISPs to notify alleged pirates that their actions are unlawful, and to require they collect information about repeat offenders that can be turned over to rights-holders on receipt of a court order

>> A broadband universal service commitment to provide broadband access for any UK citizen that wants it, no matter how remote their location. Governance and accountability structures for such a scheme will also be worked out

>> Ensuring 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

www.culture.gov.uk