I'm told that the reason so many savvy people participated in the self-organised Digital Britain Unconference is fear that Digital Britain was driven by the outdated business models of incumbent monopolies.
Reading that, it's hard to to worry that entrepreneurialism risks being stifled rather than stimulated. Although the Digital Britain team said they were keen to take the Unconference ideas on board, it's not clear how much impact that had.
Perhaps one reason why the £6 levy differs from the license fee is that, as i understand it, it'll be used to subsidise private infrastructure which we'll then be required to pay for again to use?
In any case i suspect that the point is fairly moot.The entrepreneurial energies that are amplified by a reasonably open internet will thrive and develop services and solutions that existing institutions could never yet imagine. As long as the internet is not choked off in the mean time, we can expect innovation and diversity to come out on top.
I agree that it is important and decent broadband for all would make sure the web - and all its benefits - is the inclusive and positive thing it should be, rather than exclusive to those who can afford it. not too sure it is as essential as food, water and energy though - if you are lacking one of these three then i suspect superfast broadband is fairly low on your list of priorities.
I haven’t had a real chance to read the Digital Britain report but I do think broadband coverage and speed is very very important. The changes the internet is affording business, education and entertainment is huge and no-one should be left behind in one of the most important technological advancements of our times. I find it kinda funny that slightly sniffy reports have been coming out about the extra £6 we may have to pay to fund this venture, but I like to think of this tax like the Licence Fee…and we don’t complain about that do we? :)
PS: Just to clarify, I know people do complain about the Licence Fee, but they are silly as public service broadcasting is what makes Britain British…..sharing is caring remember.
The report says that 'the economics of network deployment...mean that true superfast broadband will be concentrated in the first two thirds of the market in the next decade' - essentially, people are gonna want fast broadband and companies will make it happen, for 2/3 the population that can afford it. The 50p per month charge will be to subsidise the 'final third'. So, we are perhaps suffering because the Government thinks that those people who still want to live in the sticks shouldn't have to move to cities to get better internet access, or so some might say.
What do people think about the consultations on internet piracy? Theyre looking at getting Ofcom to regulate, meaning ISPs have to provide names of customers, write to them if they are illegally downloading and then companies can take legal action against them. Scary.
Oh and its not £6 tax I don't think, it seems to be anyone with a phone line would pay a supplement on what they currently pay. (which is £90 less in real terms annually than it was in 2005, so they're arguing that makes it okay cos its cheaper anyway).
incumbants and entrepreneurs
Wed, 17/06/2009 - 13:59 – danmcquillan
I'm told that the reason so many savvy people participated in the self-organised Digital Britain Unconference is fear that Digital Britain was driven by the outdated business models of incumbent monopolies.
The most rousing articulation of this was Charles Leadbeater's response to the draft report: The Digital Revolution : the Coming Crisis of the Creative Class (PDF).
Reading that, it's hard to to worry that entrepreneurialism risks being stifled rather than stimulated. Although the Digital Britain team said they were keen to take the Unconference ideas on board, it's not clear how much impact that had.
Perhaps one reason why the £6 levy differs from the license fee is that, as i understand it, it'll be used to subsidise private infrastructure which we'll then be required to pay for again to use?
In any case i suspect that the point is fairly moot.The entrepreneurial energies that are amplified by a reasonably open internet will thrive and develop services and solutions that existing institutions could never yet imagine. As long as the internet is not choked off in the mean time, we can expect innovation and diversity to come out on top.
digital oh yeah
Wed, 17/06/2009 - 13:12 – Emma
I agree that it is important and decent broadband for all would make sure the web - and all its benefits - is the inclusive and positive thing it should be, rather than exclusive to those who can afford it. not too sure it is as essential as food, water and energy though - if you are lacking one of these three then i suspect superfast broadband is fairly low on your list of priorities.
http://twitter.com/makeyourma
Wed, 17/06/2009 - 11:51 – DianaYeboah
I haven’t had a real chance to read the Digital Britain report but I do think broadband coverage and speed is very very important. The changes the internet is affording business, education and entertainment is huge and no-one should be left behind in one of the most important technological advancements of our times. I find it kinda funny that slightly sniffy reports have been coming out about the extra £6 we may have to pay to fund this venture, but I like to think of this tax like the Licence Fee…and we don’t complain about that do we? :)
PS: Just to clarify, I know people do complain about the Licence Fee, but they are silly as public service broadcasting is what makes Britain British…..sharing is caring remember.
yes please
Wed, 17/06/2009 - 12:22 – lucbenyon
£6 for super fast broadband, that's cheaper than 2 DVDs from Blockbuster...
I think...
Wed, 17/06/2009 - 14:28 – DianaYeboah
that's £6 on tax as opposed to a £6 rental charge...though, I think the £6 extra on tax will pay for free broadband for all
Well... The report says that
Wed, 17/06/2009 - 16:55 – JonOldershaw
Well...
The report says that 'the economics of network deployment...mean that true superfast broadband will be concentrated in the first two thirds of the market in the next decade' - essentially, people are gonna want fast broadband and companies will make it happen, for 2/3 the population that can afford it. The 50p per month charge will be to subsidise the 'final third'. So, we are perhaps suffering because the Government thinks that those people who still want to live in the sticks shouldn't have to move to cities to get better internet access, or so some might say.
What do people think about the consultations on internet piracy? Theyre looking at getting Ofcom to regulate, meaning ISPs have to provide names of customers, write to them if they are illegally downloading and then companies can take legal action against them. Scary.
Oh and its not £6 tax I
Wed, 17/06/2009 - 16:59 – JonOldershaw
Oh and its not £6 tax I don't think, it seems to be anyone with a phone line would pay a supplement on what they currently pay. (which is £90 less in real terms annually than it was in 2005, so they're arguing that makes it okay cos its cheaper anyway).