Digital Britain Report

The Digital Britain White Paper has just been published... Analysis to follow once I've read all 245 pages, but according to the Dept of Media and Culture's press release, Digital Britain measures include:

Communications Infrastructure
Steps to strengthen and modernise the UK’s Digital Infrastructure so the UK can compete and lead globally

* Universal access to today’s broadband by 2012, creating equal access for all and a fairer digital future
* A fund for investment in the next generation of superfast broadband to ensure it is available to the whole country, not just some of it
* Digital Radio Upgrade by 2015
* Accelerating current and next generation mobile coverage and services
* Proposed new role for sectoral regulator Ofcom to carry out a full assessment of the UK’s communications infrastructure every two years

Digital Participation
Steps to ensure that everyone can share in the benefits of Digital Britain

* Three year National Plan to improve Digital Participation
* Programme of Digital Switchover in public services
* A new Digital Inclusion Champion: Martha Lane Fox
* Revised Digital remit for Channel 4 and key role for BBC
* Guaranteed funding for three years for targeted marketing and outreach

Digital content
Steps to make the UK one of the world’s main creative capitals

* Robust legal and regulatory framework to combat Digital Piracy
* Digital Test Beds to promote innovation, experimentation and learning around creation and monetization of digital content
* TV Licence Fee: consultation on contained contestability, primarily to secure news in the nations, regions and locally
* A new direction for Channel 4, championing new talent across all digital media
* Guidance note and clarification on the media merger regime and an enhanced evidence role for the regulator in local mergers
* Support for Independently Funded News Consortia

Resources:

Synopsis of report here

Full report here

And the Digital Britain Impact Assessment is here.