Digital Britain could be a reality

The review could be a groundbreaking moment for UK IT – let us hope we are not disappointed

Rarely has an impending ministerial report generated so much anticipation in the IT and telecoms industries.

Communications minister Lord Stephen 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.

The review aims to create an “action plan to secure the UK’s place at the forefront of innovation, investment and quality in the digital and communications industries,” according to the government.

It will cover everything from the future of broadband to illegal file sharing and digital content. The report presents a unique opportunity – certainly the first of its kind in the UK – ­ to take a joined-up policy approach to the knowledge economy.

Early indications are that Carter will be in favour of universal broadband –­ mandating industry to provide a connection to anyone in the UK who wants one, wherever they are, using whatever wireless or wired technology is most appropriate and cost effective. Such a scheme has been discussed and rapidly dismissed in the past, so this would be a major step forward.

The costliest question will be who pays for next-generation broadband and the rollout of fibre optics that is needed to take connections up as far as 100Mbit/s. There is a realisation at the highest level of government that this is every bit as important a recession-busting infrastructure development as roads, railways and new runways.

There is an unprecedented coming together of trends that puts the timing of the review at a perfect and pivotal point –­ the need to stimulate investment and create jobs; the rapid acceleration of consumer technology use; the globalisation of business through IT; and a government desperate to be seen to be doing something popular.

It could be a groundbreaking moment for UK IT – ­ let us hope we are not disappointed.