The Digital Britain report released last week lays out the Government’s strategic vision for ensuring that the UK is at the leading edge of the global digital economy. The report contains actions and recommendations to ensure first rate digital and communications infrastructure to promote and protect talent and innovation in our creative industries, to modernize TV and radio frameworks, and support local news. It also introduces policies to maximize the social and economic benefits from digital technologies.
At 195 pages long analyzing the key elements of the report is time consuming, but thankfully these have been distilled by the BBC, Guardian and PaidContent. There was plenty of splash with lots of blog posts and twitter conversations (tweets) from @ digitalbritain and @guardiantech showing what progress has been made. The chatter on #DigitalBritain is worth a read.
The key issues that may affect e-learning include:
- A three-year plan to boost digital participation.
- All of the UK will have broadband of 2mbps by 2012, this will be paid for in part by the public. This date will be a deadline for a switch-off of ‘analogue’ government services. This will be paid for by everyone.
- All radio to be digital by 2015.
- Gaming will play an increasing role in education.
- More powers to combat digital piracy which is inevitably going to continue to increase in parallel with broadband speeds increase.
- More investment in digital innovation and jobs, up to £120m.
- Professionals to provide ICT training for schools in a new pilot scheme in the digital media sector.
The Digital Britain report is very welcome, ensuring citizens have broadband access is one of the places where doing nothing is putting the nations future at risk. This investment will cover both wired broadband provision with a stated aim of 2MBps minimum for every household. Mobile providers will also be encouraged to invest in 3g and 4g provision, a similar scheme that has worked well with 3s subsidiary in Ireland.
The Prime Minister himself has further clarified his thoughts by saying the Internet is as vital as water, gas or the roads. It is a must for a talent driven, knowledge economy. In a week were Gordon Brown had asked Sir Tim Berners-Lee to help guide the nation toward opening up access to Government data on the web, the Digital Britain report is very welcome. The report gives a glimpse of a not so distant future , and to steal a phrase from Bill Thompson of the BBC “it is one that those of us who already live a networked life need to clarify, share and work to build”.
