On 16^th June 2009, the Department of Culture, Media and Sport published the Digital Britain report, which outlines industrial policy to ensure Britain makes the most of the digital revolution.  

Digital Britain is the government’s vision of an economy and society where core working activities are based around knowledge, skills and information. It represents an ambitious and strategic plan to accelerate growth in the digital industries and cement the UK’s position as a world leader for innovation, investment and quality.

The UK’s digital economy accounts for around 8% of GDP. It has been one of the fastest growing successes of the past decade. Exciting news, however Britain will only benefit with the right infrastructure and it is crucial to make the investment in our infrastructure now. Listed below are several of the measures outlined in the report.

Digital Britain proposals 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 liberalization, enhancing 3G coverage and accelerating Next Generation mobile 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

·        A £300 million Home Access scheme giving children in low-income families access to computers and the internet.

Adrian Bailey MP welcomed the Governments vision and looked forward to further details being presented by the Department on Culture, Media and Sport on the consultation process.

To view a copy of the report in its entirety, please see the DCMS website at: http://www.culture.gov.uk/