Digital Britain report published

"A successful Britain must be a Digital Britain"

29 January 2009 14:03 GMT / By Amy-Mae Elliott

Lord Carter's "Digital Britain" interim government report has finally been published and has been described as a "plan to secure Britain’s place at the forefront of the global digital economy".

The 86-page document - plus glossary, foreword and annexes - is a seriously weighty release, so we've brought you a by no means comprehensive summary of the content.

The report sets out five main objectives, the first of which is "upgrading and modernising our digital networks wired, wireless and broadcast" followed by the call for "a dynamic investment climate for UK digital content, applications and services".

The third objectives asks for "UK content for UK users" in particular impartial news, comment and analysis.

The much publicised broadband for all initiative makes up point number four: "universal availability coupled with the skills and digital literacy to enable near-universal participation in the digital economy and digital society".

The fifth point looks at "developing the infrastructure, skills and take-up to enable the widespread online delivery of public services and business interface with Government".

Along with the objectives, the report outlines actions that it recommends the government act on.

The deployment of "next-gen" broadband will get a government-led strategy group to help "remove barriers" to the "timely rollout" of such infrastructure.

The report suggests plans for a wireless radio spectrum modernisation programme including the release of a 3G "expansion band" at 2.6GHz, greater investment and network sharing and commitment from mobile operators to increase mobile broadband coverage.

DAB gets a big support in the report, with a seven area plan detailing how the platform will become a "primary distribution network for radio" in the UK.

As far as piracy issues go, the report suggest a "Rights Agency" for the UK to "provide incentives for legal use of copyright material" as well as preventing unlawful use.

ISPs will be required to notify file-sharing rights infringers that they are breaking the law, and the details of "serious" infringers will have to pass to rights-holders "on receipt of a court order".

A second public service organisation to provide competition to the BBC is suggested, with Channel 4 a possibility to receive a new remit.

Regarding the "broadband for all" plans already reported, "Network Universal Connectivity" of up to 2Mbps to be in place by 2012 is what was expected to be announced.

The full report can be read on the Culture.gov.uk site with the final version due early summer 2009.

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