Digital Britain: A Computing special report

Digital Britain could revolutionise UK IT

This week saw the long-awaited publication of the government's Digital Britain report - perhaps the most important document for the future of the technology industry in the UK.

In this special report, we round up all Computing's extensive coverage of the issues around the likely recommendations - including universal broadband coverage and investment in next-generation super-fast networks.

Look out for further updates as we analyse the industry response to the final version of the report.

17 June 2009: Digital Britain - the experts' views
The Digital Britain report was released yesterday, unveiling a wide-ranging blueprint for the UK's digital future, covering broadband, intellectual property, downloading, online public services, digital inclusion and more. We round up the responses of experts across the industry.

16 June 2009: Digital Britain report formally launched
The government has launched its Digital Britain report in a wide-ranging document that covers the future of the UK broadband sector, through to broadcasting, regional news, intellectual property, downloading and digital inclusion – even giving new authority to Whitehall chief information officer John Suffolk.

16 June 2009: Digital Britain commits government to cloud computing
Government CIO given new powers to sign off Whitehall IT projects, and new fast-track purchasing process will encourage smaller, innovative suppliers to take part.

16 June 2009: Digital Britain delivers mixed bag for green technologies
Report reiterates support for smart meters and green procurement, but only one page of mammoth document highlights IT's green potential.

15 June 2009: Final Digital Britain report arrives tomorrow
Outgoing communications minister Lord Carter will finally publish the document seen as the blueprint for the UK's digital future.

12 June 2009: Government confirms departure of Digital Britain minister
Lord Carter to put plan in place then exit in summer - leaving the two most important ministerial portfolios for technology empty.

27 April 2009: Government strategy puts tech sector in recovery driving seat
The government's new industrial strategy places IT centre stage. But do the infrastructure plans add up?

17 April 2009: Government could bankroll superfast broadband
Business secretary Peter Mandelson has hinted that the government may still bankroll next-generation network access for those not able to get new, superfast broadband services from suppliers such as BT or Virgin Media.

19 March 2009: CIOs voice concern over 'half-hearted' Digital Britain proposals
IT leaders appear increasingly worried that Lord Carter’s Digital Britain proposals will not go far enough to boost the UK’s competitiveness.

13 March 2009: UK moving towards "internet slow lane"
Independent watchdog Consumer Focus says Digital Britain plan is overly concerned with the needs of industry.

11 March 2009: BBC could play a part in next-generation broadband
The BBC could have a part to play in the rollout of next-generation broadband based on optical-fibre networks, according to communications minister Lord Carter.

24 February 2009: Government launches Digital Britain discussion forum
The government has launched a discussion forum to encourage online debate about its Digital Britain report.

12 February 2009: Digital Britain means access for all
Lord Stephen Carter explains why the communications and technology sector is vital to our future and outlines his plans for developing the digital economy in the years ahead.

12 February 2009: The benefits of living in a digital Britain
Much of the attention surrounding Lord Carter’s interim Digital Britain report has focused on broadband. So you would probably be forgiven for thinking that the vision of digital Britain involves superfast broadband in every home. In reality, digital Britain is much more than this. It is about enabling the creation of new jobs, business models, products and services through a world-class digital infrastructure.

5 February 2009: Digital Britain plans - too little, too late?
The government’s much-anticipated Digital Britain report on plans for the UK’s technological transformation has raised expectations but so far delivered little, according to its critics. The 22-point action plan was presented at the Department for Business, Enterprise & Regulatory Reform last week by communications minister Lord Carter. The 80-page interim report has piled pressure on the government, with hopes running high that the final report in April will result in definitive action to implement next-generation broadband access.

29 January 2009: Government lays out Digital Britain proposals
Lord Carter, the communications minister, today unwrapped an interim Digital Britain report, which is to become the blueprint for taking the UK to the next stage of the information age. The report presents a 22-point action plan outlining the government's plans for the UK's digital transformation, which will include the upgrading and modernising of all wired, wireless and broadband infrastructure.

22 January 2009: Digital Britain could be a reality
Rarely has an impending ministerial report generated so much anticipation in the IT and telecoms industries. Communications minister Lord Carter’s Digital Britain review is due to be revealed next week, and speculation surrounding its contents has reached what - by the sedate standards of telecoms - can only be described as a fever pitch.

19 January 2009: Carter urged to consider "frequency for fibre" swap
Investment and lobbying group the National Endowment for Science, Technology and the Arts (Nesta) has put forward a radical proposal calling on the government to give radio spectrum worth £5bn to telecoms firms for free, in return for private sector investment in optical fibre broadband networks.

16 January 2009: ISPs reject regulation in file-sharing consultation
The government has published the responses to a consultation on illegal peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing which shows that none of the proposed solutions to the problem received widespread support. File sharing is a bad thing because it allows software and intellectual property to be distributed without the proper recompense being paid to developers. But it is difficult to regulate as ISPs say they are not responsible for the content of what passes through their connections.

14 January 2009: Could recession force government U-turn on optical-fibre rollout?
Communications minister Lord Carter has hinted that the government could rethink its decision not to put significant funding behind an optical-fibre rollout in the UK to support next-generation broadband. Speaking at a joint Westminster eForum and Westminster Media Forum seminar today, Carter acknowledged that the current economic crisis could adversely effect telecoms companies ability to raise funds to invest in high-speed network infrastructure.

27 November 2008: IT minister calls for Europe to dig for victory in broadband
The UK's minister for communications, technology and broadcasting, Stephen Carter, has called for a Europe-wide initiative to give citizens universal access to broadband. Carter has urged Europe to "metaphorically, and also perhaps literally, consider digging or at least opening up the trenches for universal access for broadband".

17 October 2008: New IT minister to produce report on digital convergence
Stephen Carter, Gordon Brown's old PR supremo now moved to the Department for Business Enterprise & Regulatory Reform, will spearhead an action plan to put the UK at the forefront of the digital and communications industries, it was announced today. Carter, who is the first minister for communications, technology and broadcasting and was previously head of Ofcom, will produce a report that will look at the state of broadband, digital radio, spectrum, IT skills, digital broadcasting and intellectual property in the UK.