This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/technology/7858498.stm
The article has changed 9 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| UK's digital action plan unveiled | UK's digital action plan unveiled |
| (20 minutes later) | |
| The government has outlined plans to boost the digital and communications industries, which contribute more than £50bn a year to the UK economy. | The government has outlined plans to boost the digital and communications industries, which contribute more than £50bn a year to the UK economy. |
| In a statement to Parliament, the Culture Secretary Andy Burnham said Britain "led the world in content creation". | In a statement to Parliament, the Culture Secretary Andy Burnham said Britain "led the world in content creation". |
| But the Conservatives said the report promised "no new action, but eight further reports". | But the Conservatives said the report promised "no new action, but eight further reports". |
| The full report and proposals will be unveiled in summer 2009. | The full report and proposals will be unveiled in summer 2009. |
| Every aspect of our lives... will be dependent on the services that the digital network provides Gordon Brown Outlining the findings of the Digital Britain report to Parliament, Mr Burnham said that it would help Britain secure a competitive low carbon economy in the next five to 10 years. | |
| The 22 recommendations in the interim report examined both broadcasting and the UK's digital infrastructure. | The 22 recommendations in the interim report examined both broadcasting and the UK's digital infrastructure. |
| PSB | PSB |
| Public service broadcasting was a key feature. In his statement, Mr Burnham examined the role Channel 4 would play in the future. | Public service broadcasting was a key feature. In his statement, Mr Burnham examined the role Channel 4 would play in the future. |
| "The report identifies news at local, regional and national level and children's programming as amongst the key priorities. | "The report identifies news at local, regional and national level and children's programming as amongst the key priorities. |
| "The BBC - as an enabling force is central to this: strong and secure in its own future, working in partnership with others to deliver these objectives. READ THE FULL INTERIM REPORT class="" href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/bsp/hi/pdfs/29_01_09digital_britain_interimreport.pdf">Digital Britain interim report(2MB) Most computers will open PDF documents automatically, but you may need to download Adobe Acrobat Reader. href="http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html">Download the reader here class="" href="/1/hi/technology/7858062.stm">At a glance: Digital Britain | |
| "We will also explore how we can establish a sustainable public service organisation which offers scale and reach alongside the BBC, building on the strength of Channel 4." | |
| Communications watchdog Ofcom last week warned Channel 4 faced a bleak future unless a deal could be reached. | Communications watchdog Ofcom last week warned Channel 4 faced a bleak future unless a deal could be reached. |
| The report also looked at the issue of internet piracy. Mr Burnham said the government would look at setting up a new digital rights agency and wanted to introduce legislation requiring internet service providers to notify illegal file-sharers directly about their activity. | The report also looked at the issue of internet piracy. Mr Burnham said the government would look at setting up a new digital rights agency and wanted to introduce legislation requiring internet service providers to notify illegal file-sharers directly about their activity. |
| Lord Carter's report also called for everyone in the UK to get access to a broadband speed of at least 2 megabits per second (Mbps). | Lord Carter's report also called for everyone in the UK to get access to a broadband speed of at least 2 megabits per second (Mbps). |
| Currently, telecoms firms are only obliged to provide lines that can handle 28.8kbps. At 2Mbps lines will be capable of handling much more video and sites that offer much greater interactivity. | Currently, telecoms firms are only obliged to provide lines that can handle 28.8kbps. At 2Mbps lines will be capable of handling much more video and sites that offer much greater interactivity. |
| Kashvi Shah uses pay-as-you-surf 100Mbps broadband at her home in west London | |
| By the time of the final report, the government will know whether internet service providers (ISPs) can be relied on to build next generation networks themselves or if government help will be needed. | By the time of the final report, the government will know whether internet service providers (ISPs) can be relied on to build next generation networks themselves or if government help will be needed. |
| Mr Burnham also said that he wanted to ensure that public services online were accessible to the widest range of people and wanted to "give parents the information and tools to protect [their] children from inappropriate content". | Mr Burnham also said that he wanted to ensure that public services online were accessible to the widest range of people and wanted to "give parents the information and tools to protect [their] children from inappropriate content". |
| Future radio | Future radio |
| The report also examined the future of radio. The Culture Secretary said that digital audio broadcasting (DAB) will become the "primary distribution network", potentially giving notice for the end of traditional FM analogue radio. The government will also look at how the digital switch-over scheme - introduced for TV - could be expanded to help the radio transition. | The report also examined the future of radio. The Culture Secretary said that digital audio broadcasting (DAB) will become the "primary distribution network", potentially giving notice for the end of traditional FM analogue radio. The government will also look at how the digital switch-over scheme - introduced for TV - could be expanded to help the radio transition. |
| The prime minister, speaking at the New Local Government Network in central London, said that the digital economy would play a crucial part in lifting Britain out of recession. | The prime minister, speaking at the New Local Government Network in central London, said that the digital economy would play a crucial part in lifting Britain out of recession. |
| "Today we have an interim report from Lord Carter setting out the scale of our ambition to compete in the digital economy and that's a market worth about £50bn a year," he said. | "Today we have an interim report from Lord Carter setting out the scale of our ambition to compete in the digital economy and that's a market worth about £50bn a year," he said. |
| "It affects every community in our country who are looking for the best digital infrastructure, access to broadband, that we can offer them. | "It affects every community in our country who are looking for the best digital infrastructure, access to broadband, that we can offer them. |
| "We know that every aspect of our lives in local communities - every school, every hospital, every workplace and even every home - will be dependent on the services that the digital network provides." | "We know that every aspect of our lives in local communities - every school, every hospital, every workplace and even every home - will be dependent on the services that the digital network provides." |