High Speed Digital Report Arriving…Some Time Soon!

Posted Monday 26th January 2009 by James R in SEM News.

An expected report on the state of the UK’s digital economy looks as though it may be delivered late after a spokeswoman for the Department of Culture, Media and Sport said it would be available ‘before the end of the month’.

The Digital Britain report was set up to examine the UK’s internet habits and concerns. Particular attention is being given to privacy, security and quality of content. It will also take into account new developments in digital media such as public service broadcasting and digital radio.

The report is expected to make recommendations on broadband speeds and ways of tackling illegal file sharing of films and music. Consumer groups are expecting telecom suppliers to be told to provide universal internet coverage and improve speeds.

Communications Minister Lord Carter was scheduled to publish the interim findings on January the 24th with a full report following in late spring 2009 but that has now been thrown into doubt. Last month in the House of Commons he outlined the government’s plans to provide broadband for everyone by saying, ‘We do not get universal coverage and in my view we should have it.’

With the EU already having made clear that it sees broadband access as an important part of people’s lives the Digital Britain report could do without any delays or setbacks. In September 2008 the EU let it be known it was considering bringing forward its review of telecom services that Europeans citizens should expect.

One of the major concerns for ministers and consumers alike is the growing digital divide that is appearing between the haves and have-nots. The divide has always existed but for purely geographical reasons. Now that there are no places that cannot be accessed through new cable networks that divide seems to be based on cost.

It’s worrying therefore that the internet, which some regard as the future of almost every human endeavor, is increasingly being used by the wealthy with the poorest in society being left behind. The report is expected to make recommendations along these lines before the situation gets any worse.

It does seem curious then that a report on speeding things up should take so long to arrive; and now this delay. Still, it does seem that the report is addressing all the important areas and issues. Let’s just hope it gets released before there’s a need for a ‘version 2.0′.

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