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Digital Britain in “slow lane”
The Government has failed to address poorer parts of the population with its ‘Digital Britain’ plan, claims watchdog group Consumer Focus last week.
Consumer Focus said the Digital Britain interim report, which outlines plans to make broadband standard for UK households, neglects lower socioeconomic demographics and risks leaving the UK in the internet “slow lane”.
Consumer Focus said it welcomed the Government’s plans but said the report failed to address issues of access. Ofcom’s Media Literacy Audit, released in May last year, pointed out significant sections of the population – largely unemployed, or in semi-skilled or unskilled manual jobs – that have limited access to technology such as broadband because of cost and a lack of knowledge.
Consumer Focus deputy chief Philip Cullum said: “The prohibitive cost of equipment, software and broadband services and the lack of knowledge and understanding of IT will reinforce existing patterns of social exclusion if they are not addressed.”
The group has also criticised the Government’s “apparent unwillingness” to consider a minimum universal broadband speed above 2Mbps by 2012.
Said Cullum: “A 2Mpbs speed will not support a future of digital innovation and will inhibit Britain’s digital economy as consumers find themselves unable to take advantage of digital services and products considered standard in other countries.
“Consumer Focus is calling on Government to use Digital Britain as an opportunity to tackle issues of social exclusion and considers the interim report to be overly concerned with the needs of industry.
“Consumer Focus looks forward to the final Digital Britain report focusing on the other part of the market equation, the consumer, and setting out a clear strategy with time lines, targets and responsibilities.”
Communications minister Stephen Carter recommended in the Digital Britain report in February broadband speeds of 2Mbps for 99 per cent of the UK, the creation of a second major public service provider alongside BT, the modernisation of radio spectrum and digital radio, the revision of digital content rights and better public services information.