Criticism against the government for missing the digital revolutions potential

The Digital Britain: The Interim Report from the department for Culture, Media and Sport came under heavy criticism from Consumer Focus, the independent watchdog for risking the UK being left in the Internet ‘slow lane’, lacking vision and neglecting customer interests.

The deputy Chief Executive of Consumer Focus, Phil Cullum said “We currently have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to use the digital revolution to address issues of social exclusion and disadvantage, and to give the UK economy a powerful competitive edge. The Digital Britain interim report is grounded in the past, focuses on protecting vested interests and old ways of working and living. But it’s not too late for Government to put this right and set a positive and innovative digital strategy for the UK.”

The proposals to update the Universal Service Commitment by Digital Britain, which will provide access to broadband for everyone, was welcomed by Consumer Focus, although it said that the report did not address the issues of access.

A lack of understanding or knowledge and the costs are currently limiting a large portion of the UK population in their access to IT. Those in semi-skilled or unskilled manual jobs or even those who don’t work at all make up the main body of this group.

If not addressed the existing patterns of social exclusion will be reinforced by a lack of understanding and knowledge of IT, and also the cost of broadband services, equipment and software that put it out of reach for many people.

Another serious concern is lack of willingness that the Government appears to show towards looking at speeds over 2Mbps by 2012 as a minimum speed for universal broadband is a serious concern, especially when countries like Sweden and Germany in Europe have already got speeds that average respectively at 7.4Mbps and 4.8Mbps and a 100Mbps target has already been set by Finland.

The future of digital innovation will not be supported by a 2Mbps speed believes Consumer Focus and because customer will not be able to take advantage of digital product and services that other countries now consider standard Britain’s digital economy will become inhibited.