‘Digital Britain’ report: “unclear and unambitious”

Heads of the UK’s mobile networks have broadly welcomed the Government’s interim ‘Digital Britain’ report which promises to put Britain at the forefront of the digital economy.

Communications Minister Stephen Carter’s report contains more than 20 recommendations.

These include bringing minimum 2Mbps broadband speeds to 99 per cent of the population, creating a second major public service provider (alongside BT), modernising wireless radio spectrum and digital radio, revising digital content rights, and enhancing the digital delivery information about public services.

However network operator 3 UK wants greater clarity on funding, how Carter’s recommendations will be carried out and the immediate future for spectrum reform.

3 UK chief executive Kevin Russell wondered if the Government was motivated by improving digital services or creating  new revenue. “What is lacking is clarity as to whether this will be driven by access and quality of service or the desire for Treasury income,” remarked Russell.

He went on: “This report puts mobile front and centre in the Government’s drive to bring universal broadband access. Making this a reality is very simple. It needs just two things to happen. The radio spectrum should be made available to deliver universal service, and the mobile industry must invest to make the best use of that spectrum.”

Russell said most of the infrastructure is in place and could be operational within three years.

“The mobile industry doesn’t need a pot of money from the tax payer to bring broadband to all. It just needs the right spectrum from Government to deliver it.”

Outgoing T-Mobile UK managing director Jim Hyde commended the report as identifying the issues “to make Britain a winner in the digital world”.

He said: “It also puts its finger on a key current roadblock – the inability to use all existing mobile spectrum for 3G and to do so on an equitable, competitive basis. We agree with encouraging network sharing. This is something we have already pioneered with 3 UK.”

Orange UK chief executive Tom Alexander said: “We are extremely interested in the role both fixed and mobile technologies can play. We also look forward to playing an integral part in discussions with the Government concerning the future of current spectrum holdings. This is something we’re now looking at in more detail.”

Vodafone UK chief executive Guy Laurence said wireless broadband networks could rival fixed in terms of cost, speed, coverage and reliability. “We welcome the government’s intention to address outstanding spectrum issues, which are creating a climate of uncertainty.”

An O2 spokesman said: “We welcome the fact the Government is paying such close attention to these issues. We look forward to discussing the proposals over the coming months.”

But telco analysts criticised the proposals, calling them both “well-intended but severely lacking in detail” and “unambitious”.

Full article in Mobile News issue 432 (February 9, 2009).

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