It will not be news to those working in the IT sector that
developing a comprehensive and cohesive digital infrastructure is
absolutely fundamental to our future economic prosperity and to
increased quality of life. If we want to emerge stronger out of the
downturn and lay the foundations for long-term sustainable growth,
then it is imperative that we make the most of the digital and
communications industries - where there is already a strong growth
story and where there are substantial opportunities to create
further future revenues and jobs,writes Pat McFadden,
minister for business, innovation & skills.
The
Digital Britain Report set out to establish a clear and
achievable strategy to secure Britain's place at the forefront of
the global digital economy. To achieve that goal we need a
fundamental upgrade to our wired and wireless networks. This means
action on spectrum, broadcasting and, perhaps most crucially,
broadband.
Today, 2.75 million homes in the UK cannot even receive a 2mbps
broadband service, so we are committed to providing universal
service broadband at 2mbps by 2012. This is a floor for
connectivity, not a ceiling for ambition, but it does go further
than any country in Europe has on universality.
In addition, recent months have seen an energetic market-led
roll-out of next generation superfast fixed networks. This will and
should continue, but if we are to achieve the aim of establishing
Britain's status as a world leader in the global digital economy,
then an active and strategic approach is required by the
government, because it is clear that the market, unaided, will not
fully serve the final third of the population. So, we have proposed
an extra 50p on everyone's monthly telecoms bill to ensure that
next generation broadband is also delivered to the final third of
the country where, so far, market providers say it is uneconomic to
go.
However, the Digital Britain report goes further than
establishing how we will create a modern infrastructure to support
a modern digital economy and society. It outlines how we plan to
upgrade skills capabilities, convert research and innovation into
market beating products and services, how the UK can be one of the
world's main creative centres and the establishment of a smarter
and more joined-up government - all essential components of a
successful modern knowledge economy.
In the Digital Britain report we have set out the framework for
future success, but to accelerate growth, grasp all the
opportunities available and cement the country's place as a world
leader, we will need to partner with those who work in the digital
and communications sectors and draw on their expertise and support.
Only by doing this will we ensure that Britain will be at the
forefront of the global digital economy, generating wealth and
employment opportunities for this and future generations.