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Scott Fletcher comments on the Digital Britain Report
Wed 17th Jun 09 - 17:30
"The report doesn't go far enough on broadband speeds, 2mb in 2012 will feel like a dialup modem, with internet bandwidth expected to be 90% video by 2013 we need to be planning 20Mb+ for all homes in this period.
The idea that the government is going to interfere with the internet in terms of taxes and regulation goes against whole idea of the internet. The internet should be a free and open collection of networks that are not controlled by anyone. We all know that the 50p telephone tax will be the thin end of the wedge and any antipiracy legislation is likely to effect the openness of the internet.
I do, however, understand the need to ensure that people at the edges of society are not excluded from the internet and this could be addressed in my view by Community based WiMax projects, however, the issue of access to computer equipment will still be an issue for these members of society.
Fundamentally, government moves too slow to address the needs of the economy in this area, this report has taken months to produce and rather than wasting further time, the government should concentrate on creating the right economic environment to allow the internet to continue to be built naturally. Tax breaks for telecoms companies who invest in high speed broadband are what is needed along with less regulation not more."
http://www.guardian.co.uk/global/organgrinder/2009/jun/16/digital-britain-report
http://www.culture.gov.uk/what_we_do/broadcasting/6216.aspx