Uncategorized

New directive could be finalised before the summer break as culture ministers agree on Commission’s compromise text…

Full European Commission press release

Bridging the Broadband Gap – Benefits of broadband for rural areas and less developed regions

Brussels, 14-15 May 2007

Attendance is by invitation only, but non-invitees can still get involved – see the website and ‘How do I get involved?’

See full conference information

Raising the bar.

A white paper from the Economist Intelligence Unit.

Strong government role in promotion and adoption of ICT propel Asian countries up global e-readiness rankings, according to the latest report from the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU).

Written in co-operation with the IBM Institute for Business Value.

Download report and read further details

Press Release:

BSG report shows the UK is facing big challenges to the future of broadband

16 April 2007

The Broadband Stakeholder Group (BSG) – the government’s advisory group on broadband and digital convergence – will today state that uncertainties surrounding next generation broadband must be resolved within two years or UK competitiveness may suffer and the digital divide widen. This claim forms part of a report it will publish later today on the prospects for next generation broadband deployment in the UK.

Broadband is the critical enabling infrastructure of our modern, knowledge-based economy and is an integral part of many people’s lives. Yet, according to the report, the UK’s current and planned broadband infrastructure may not meet the future needs of the most intensive users and we cannot assume that the market will continue to deliver the ever-increasing bandwidth that many content providers and users increasingly expect. In addition, a number of key competitor nations are now deploying networks that are capable of delivering much higher access speeds than are currently available in the UK.

However, there seems to be little prospect for the widespread deployment of next generation broadband in the UK at present. Although the benefits to the economy – including improved productivity and innovation – could be significant, it remains extremely difficult for operators to justify the multi-billion pound investments required for the next generation of broadband networks.

The report makes several recommendations that could change the situation. It calls on the government to establish a target to ensure that by 2012 the UK remains in the upper quartile of OECD nations in terms of the quality and reach of broadband services in the UK. The report also recommends that Ofcom sets out the principles of its regulatory approach to next generation access within the next twelve months in order to achieve the right balance of investment incentives and competition needed for the market to deploy next generation broadband.

Commenting on the report, Kip Meek, BSG Chairman said: “Broadband is key to the UK economy and has a critical impact on many people’s daily lives. We have a limited window of opportunity: if steps are not taken now to prepare for next generation broadband, then we may well find ourselves in a position where it is too late to catch up.

This is not special pleading on the behalf of broadband providers, but a call to policy makers and regulators, as well as to the commercial participants in the industry to put significant effort into understanding the dynamics of the market. Failure to act on the issue of next generation broadband will be to the detriment of both our economy and our society.???

Download press release in full

The Commission’s i2010 report finds that ICT is fuelling innovation and productivity, and there are signs of fundamental change in markets and user behaviour, as Europe moves towards a knowledge-based economy.
30 March 2007

i2010 Annual Report 2007
Published Wednesday, 04 April 2007

The report looks at levels of take-up, usage and the types of services available in the broadband market.

The Communications Market: Broadband Digital Progress Report

Gordon Brown should use the opportunity of the Comprehensive Spending Review this summer to set out an economic policy that will enable Britain to flourish in the knowledge economy, The Work Foundation says today – 20 March 2007.

The Work Foundation

Sunderland was today unveiled as the winner of the government’s Digital Challenge competition. The Local Authority will receive £3m to deliver its plans for a digitally enabled community, which will benefit some of the most vulnerable and socially excluded people in the area.

As the Digital Challenge winner, Sunderland will be a national exemplar of how ICT can be used to tackle social exclusion.

The Digital Challenge saw cities, towns and regions outline their visions for a digitally enabled society designed to better meet the needs of local communities and citizens. “All the finalists have led the way in the UK and should be seen as true regional digital inclusion champions”, said Angela Smith, Minister for Local eGovernment.

The Minister announced that the government will provide a £2m digital inclusion fund to support ongoing collaboration on digital inclusion and the ten finalists have agreed to establish a new organisation, called the DC10, to take this forward.

Digital Challenge

The Gospel of Inclusion, Guardian article, 21 March 2007

The Broadband Stakeholder Group (BSG) today announced the appointment of former Ofcom Board Member and Chief Policy Partner, Kip Meek as Non-Executive Chair.

Kip will lead the BSG as it launches its work programme for 2007-08, and chair both the Executive Committee and Advisory Council.

Kip joins the BSG after four years at Ofcom where he took a leading role in developing Ofcom’s international strategy, including its participation in the review of the EU Television Without Frontiers Directive, the EU Telecommunications Framework, and the international Regional Radio Conference in 2006. He was also responsible for the Ofcom Content and Standards Group and for Ofcom’s Legal Group.

In addition, for the past year Kip was Chair of the European Regulators’ Group (ERG), overseeing Ofcom’s engagement with key European and International decision-making bodies.

Kip Meek, BSG Chairman said: “The UK has seen dramatic progress in broadband over the last few year, but there are substantial challenges ahead. We need our broadband services to keep pace with our global competitors while ensuring healthy competition and the widest possible availability. The BSG has a unique role in addressing these challenges and I’m looking forward to taking on this exciting opportunity”.

Antony Walker, BSG CEO, said: “Kip’s immense experience, expertise and reputation across the industry will be invaluable as the BSG tackles some of the big issues ahead including next generation broadband and the regulation of new media services. We look forward to working with him.”

Prior to joining Ofcom, Kip was Managing Director of Spectrum Strategy Consulting, and worked regularly in Europe, Asia, North America and South America. He had previously worked at Coopers & Lybrand in London, the Boston Consulting Group, McKinsey & Co and British Telecom. In May, Kip will also be joining the Board of Ingenious Media. He will take up his post with the BSG with immediate effect.

Press release in full

Regulatory challenges posed by next generation access networks

Ofcom today published a discussion document on Next Generation Access (NGA) networks. NGA networks offer the prospect of connections based on new technologies which enable higher speed broadband services delivered to customers” homes and businesses in the future.

Full public discussion document

The Directorate-General Information Society released the public Consultation on Content Online in the Single Market on 28 July 2006. The stated aim is to establish how EU policy should be designed in order to stimulate creation and distribution of online content and services in Europe. The closing date for the consultation was 13 October, and the Commission has said it intends to release a communication on the topic by the end of the year.

The consultation was wide ranging and so affects many sectors in the UK. Relevant organisations have also been responding individually and via their trade associations, reflecting their own industry perpsectives. However, it was agreed, with the support of the UK government, that it may also be useful to look at Content Online from a cross-industry UK perspective, considering points of common interest and submitting a response along these lines.

BSG coordinated this response, which was submitted with input from content players in the music, games and publishing industries via the Digital Content Forum, broadcasters, ISPs, mobile operators, telecommunications and technology companies.

European Commission Public Consultation on Content Online in the Single Market

BSG response to the European Commission consultation on Content Online

UK Broadband Status Report – March 2006

This report, covering the period from October 2005 to December 2005, commissioned by the DTI from Ovum, continues the series of quarterly reports to monitor the progress of the UK broadband market in support of the Government’s overarching objective for the UK to have the most extensive and competitive broadband market in the G7 by 2005.

Ovum-Hedra Report: UK Broadband Status Report

International Broadband Market Comparisons Update – March 2006

This report, covering the period from October 2004 to March 2005, commissioned by the DTI from Ovum-Hedra plc, continues the series of six monthly reports to benchmark the progress of the UK against certain key broadband enabled countries in support of the Government’s overarching objective for the UK to have the most extensive and competitive broadband market in the G7 by 2005.

Ovum-Hedra Report: International Broadband Market Comparisons

Sophisticated Broadband Services Report – May 2006

This is the 3rd report on higher speed broadband coverage and services, commissioned by the DTI to Analysys. It provides a first look at whether a digital divide of next generation broadband services exists in the UK and compares the current coverage level of the UK with international peers.

Analysys Report: Sophisticated Broadband Services Report

The Digital Challenge Awards Ceremony 2006 took place today (12 July 2006) in London – Angela Smith MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State announced the top ten finalists at a presentation lunch held by the Department for Communities and Local Government and the City of London.

Out of the 79 entries representing over 250 organisations and partnerships, the judges shortlisted the proposals to 18 regional winners, from whom the finalists were chosen.

Each finalist was presented with an award and received £120,000 from the Department for Communities and Local Government. This will enable them to further develop their proposals and compete to be the ‘Digital Challenge Winner’ with a prize of £7m enabling them to implement their Digital Community Vision.

Top Ten Finalists submissions

Digital Challenge Inclusion Network