Summary of Digital Britain final report

Five broad objectives

• Modernising digital distribution infrastructure
• Stimulating investment
• Securing range of public service content, esp news
• Developing digital skills
• Securing universal broadband access

Key recommendations

• Universal Service Commitment: Government has committed to delivering universal 2Mbps broadband by 2012, funded with £200m in direct public funding/BBC licence fee
• Next Generation Final Third Project: On top of basic 2Mbps service, Government has committed to extending next generation/superfast broadband to households that don’t have it via 50p/month charge for public on all fixed copper lines
• IP theft: graduated response to offenders by rights holders/ISPs based on notification and taking to court. However, ISPs maybe required to use certain technical measures, eg bandwidth restriction, if notification/court system is not successful.
• Commitment to explore tax relief for video games
• New remit for C4, with more digital media/new platform emphasis. Privatisation ruled out, blessing on joint venture with BBC Worldwide
• Further consultation on ringfencing 3.5% of licence fee after 2013 for contestable funding. This is expected to go to a Bill before Parliament in autumn. Regional news a priority, maybe children’s.
• Government to discuss with BBC trust how pre 2013 any unused licence fee money within digital switchover fund could be used for pilot schemes for regional news.
• As part of the above funding for news, regional consortia, potentially involved independent production companies, will be funded to provide news in their areas.
• Independent quota and terms of trade are working well; framework flexible enough to take into account digital media developments.
• Bbc.co.uk new media framework should be adopted more widely by Government and other public bodies who commission content. Pact to be part of pilot scheme to introduce IP rights framework for government procurement when commissioning content from external suppliers.
• Digital skills being taught at primary and higher education level, with greater sectoral focus at higher education level

If you are interested in reading the full review please click here.