Digital Britain

This week the Government published the Digital Britain Report, its strategic vision for ensuring that the UK is at the leading edge of the global digial economy.

The report provides actions and recommendations to promote and protect talent and innovation in our creative industries, to modernise TV and radio frameworks and support local news, and introduces policies to maximise the social and economic benefits from digital technologies.

The Report is one of the central policy commitments in the Government's Building Britain's Future plan and draft legislative programme.

Digital Britain measures include:

· A three-year National Plan to improve Digital Participation
· Universal Access to today's broadband services by 2012
· Next Generation fund for investment in tomorrow's broadband services
· Digital radio upgrade by the end of 2015
· Mobile spectrum liberalisation, enhancing 3G and accelerating Next Generation services
· Robust legal and regulatory framework to combat Digital Piracy
· Support for public service content partnerships
· A revised digital remit for Channel 4
· Consultation on funding options for national, regional and local news

For more information and to view the report go to: http://www.culture.gov.uk/what_we_do/broadcasting/5631.aspx

Colin Minto, Technology Director of APA said, “Britain needs a strong digital strategy for the future if we are to maximise the commercial opportunities available from an increasingly web-based society. The UK has historically turned its back on manufacturing and technological innovation and the financial sector has recently self-destructed. If Britain is not to fall back to become a truly third-world economy it definitely needs to lead the world in its digital expertise. APA supports the Government's thinking and has and will participate in its consultation process.”

Gareth