Broadband News
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Consumer panel holding out hope for Digital Britain
11 Sep 2009 | 09.00 Europe/London
Officially, we are in the "implementation" phase of Digital Britain, though recent rumblings from the Government suggest that "disintegration" would be a more appropriate term. However, the Communications Consumer Panel (CCP) hasn't given up on Digital Britain - and has just released its final response to the final report. Finally.
When the last draft of the Digital Britain document came to light, the communications consumer panelists must have been rubbing their hands together. A long last they had Government support for "many of the things [they'd] been arguing for over the last few years." Then Lord Carter left and dark Lord Mandelson came into the picture; it must seem like they're in danger of losing a key ally.
But for the Consumer Communications Panel all is not lost - yet. As its Chair, Anna Bradley says, the "challenge" now for the Government is to "deliver the full package of measures set out in Digital Britain," and three in particular:
As is the law, her statement has come with an accompanying PDF document that goes into all the intricate details of the CCP's response the majority of media outlets will ignore (in this rare case even the original statement is available as a PDF). It's not a very technical report - at least not in the meaning of "technical" as we understand it. In relation to the Government 2Mbit/s universal service commitment, for instance, it's seen as being acceptable given "the key test of success will be whether in practice people everywhere in the UK will be able to use the online services and carry out the activities they value in a reliable and consistent way." No definition is given of exactly what this might mean.
It's worth noting that the infamous 50p tax on fixed lines isn't whole-heartedly supported by the CCP - it's written about in terms of perhaps being the "only viable option" in the "current economic climate." It's suggested that extending the tax to everyone - including older people who don't use the Internet, and the poorest of homes - wouldn't be fair and could even push people away from having fixed lines and into the arms of mobile connections. Not only that but the CCP believe that under Digital Britain only ninety per cent of population would have access to next-generation broadband anyway. Therefore, when it comes to next-generation access, the panelists aren't adverse to straying from the Digital Britain blueprint.
But while there's no explicit response to the Mandelson-led toughing of the Government's stance on online piracy, it's clear that the CCP would prefer a softer approach. From CCP report:
Ultimately the Communications Consumer Panel isn't demanding that the Government stick to its Digital Britain proposals rigidly; it turns out there's a degree of flexibility when it comes to implementing the "package of measures" Lord Carter and company put together. Now it's up to Lord Mandy to at least uphold the essence of the promises therein.
When the last draft of the Digital Britain document came to light, the communications consumer panelists must have been rubbing their hands together. A long last they had Government support for "many of the things [they'd] been arguing for over the last few years." Then Lord Carter left and dark Lord Mandelson came into the picture; it must seem like they're in danger of losing a key ally.
But for the Consumer Communications Panel all is not lost - yet. As its Chair, Anna Bradley says, the "challenge" now for the Government is to "deliver the full package of measures set out in Digital Britain," and three in particular:
First, the Panel's research shows that soon broadband will be essential for everyone so Government needs to press on with plans to implement its universal broadband commitment - by 2012 everyone in the UK needs to be able to use the online services and applications that they value in a reliable and consistent way.
Second, the Panel believes that action to stimulate investment in next-generation broadband is needed now - the market will only rollout to around two-thirds of the population and the rest should not be left behind. To maximise the benefits for the economy and society, next-generation broadband needs to be available to everyone. In particular, it creates the possibility of delivering public services in really innovative and new ways, and could improve the quality and depth of interaction between citizens and Government, both local and national.
Thirdly, the Panel supports the strong focus in the Digital Britain report on promoting digital participation. It welcomes the Government's decision to set up a Consortium to promote digital participation and support it with funding for the next three years.
As is the law, her statement has come with an accompanying PDF document that goes into all the intricate details of the CCP's response the majority of media outlets will ignore (in this rare case even the original statement is available as a PDF). It's not a very technical report - at least not in the meaning of "technical" as we understand it. In relation to the Government 2Mbit/s universal service commitment, for instance, it's seen as being acceptable given "the key test of success will be whether in practice people everywhere in the UK will be able to use the online services and carry out the activities they value in a reliable and consistent way." No definition is given of exactly what this might mean.
It's worth noting that the infamous 50p tax on fixed lines isn't whole-heartedly supported by the CCP - it's written about in terms of perhaps being the "only viable option" in the "current economic climate." It's suggested that extending the tax to everyone - including older people who don't use the Internet, and the poorest of homes - wouldn't be fair and could even push people away from having fixed lines and into the arms of mobile connections. Not only that but the CCP believe that under Digital Britain only ninety per cent of population would have access to next-generation broadband anyway. Therefore, when it comes to next-generation access, the panelists aren't adverse to straying from the Digital Britain blueprint.
But while there's no explicit response to the Mandelson-led toughing of the Government's stance on online piracy, it's clear that the CCP would prefer a softer approach. From CCP report:
Rights holders should have to obtain a court order before any action is taken to restrict or suspend anyone's broadband access. And before such an order is granted, consumers should be given ample opportunity to make representations. Although following due process inevitably imposes costs, the need for fairness should be paramount. Another important principal is that we should not treat everyone the same. People who copy content that they have purchased already or who access content that is not available commercially should not be treated the same as persistent illegal file-sharers.
Ultimately the Communications Consumer Panel isn't demanding that the Government stick to its Digital Britain proposals rigidly; it turns out there's a degree of flexibility when it comes to implementing the "package of measures" Lord Carter and company put together. Now it's up to Lord Mandy to at least uphold the essence of the promises therein.