Posts Tagged ‘Broadband’

This morning the Community Broadband Network came to Birmingham today with its roadshow to highlight the need for the UK to get to grips with the next generation of broadband access. We’re talking about a network where 100 megabits per second is the norm with the potential to deliver 1 gigabits per second (which will be the universal service obligation in South Korea by 2012 - yes, that’s what they’ll get as a minimum).

So I suspect delegates there may not have greeted with much enthusiasm the news in the Budget that the government has confirmed its commitment to just 2 megabits per second access for all. However, that’s not to say it’s ignoring the issue of next generation networks. Alastair Darling also announced funding for Yorkshire’s Digital Region project and there may be something in the £750m strategic investment fund for digital industries to get stuck into. More - Budget confirms broadband commitment

It’s a year since the government published its Creative Britain report, the culmination of a long process of consultation with the creative industries. The publication was seen as a positive cross-departmental initiative that re-stated the government’s commitment to what is a significant part of the economy. A year on we get Digital Britain and in general, everyone seems a bit grumpy about it. So what did ‘Creative’ have that ‘Digital’ doesn’t?

More - Digital Britain vs Creative Britain - FIGHT!

Economically we are certainly living in interesting times.  One of the reactions to the current financial crisis has been a resurgence in Keynesian ideas of government intervention in markets as a way to avoid the worst effects of recession.  There is much talk of governments investing in civil engineering projects such as roads, rail and bridge building.  Invest in such infrastructure, the argument goes, and you prime the pump of the economy now and improve your competitiveness in the future.

Well, if we’ve been willing to build transport infrastructure like this before then shouldn’t we be thinking about using government money to build out a nationwide fibre optic network?

More - Next Generation Access

In his speech to reignite the Labour party, Gordon Brown has revealed his government’s plans for a broadband internet access, software and computer scheme worth up to £300m, which will target disadvantaged families on low incomes.

More - The promise has been made

Still yet to be confirmed it is widely anticipated that China will replace the United States of America (USA) as the largest broadband country in the world.

More - China is new broadband giant?

In his speech to reignite the Labour party, Gordon Brown has revealed his government’s plans for a broadband internet access, software and computer scheme worth up to £300m, which will target disadvantaged families on low incomes.

More - The promise has been made