I’ve been somewhat perplexed by the reaction of some sections of the media towards Digital Britain this morning. From, ‘More sketch than blueprint’, to ‘The show goes on’, to the frankly inaccurate ‘The digital picture is still blurred’, many commentators have failed to appreciate the big picture.

Undoubtedly, with an agenda as big and ambitious as Digital Britain there was always going to be disappointment for some. However, I’m genuinely surprised that certain sections of the media have chosen to criticise Lord Carter’s framework to deliver next generation access.

Much has been made of £6 per year levy to pay for the ‘final third’ of households who live in areas that are not economically viable for the roll-out of commercial broadband. It seems to me that the spectre of a new tax has overshadowed what is essentially a very workable resolution to this lingering and complicated problem.

The solution offered is both nimble and elegant, and more importantly the only framework on the table. Around the world other countries have sunk in billions of public funds into building their networks, or remained locked in indecision. It is vitally important that we do not shut out a generation of innovators and entrepreneurs from NGA because they live in areas which are at this time, economically unviable to commercial operators.

A recent ITIF/LSE study suggested up to 280,500 jobs could be created or retained by next generation broadband networks. The report also talks about the networked effects, meaning the benefits are more than just quicker download speeds. Consider the boost to jobs and the economy from the industries that will be stimulated by rise of the smart home – only enabled through NGA.

On a separate point the commitment to universal service means more for the future of public services than anything else. The ambition to connect every home with at least 2mb broadband by 2012 is certainly laudable, but it is likely to have the biggest impact on the way public services are delivered.

Online delivery of public services could offer convenience and flexibility to individual citizens. Perhaps equally crucially in these straitened times, a switchover could save public money. That is partly because of services such as ‘telepresence’ for healthcare, which save time. But also completing a switch-over, means switching off additional or redundant means of contact or services – do we really need to consume reams of paper to fill in our tax returns when we can do this online? Too often the public services simply layer new means of delivery over the old ones, adding to the costs. The universal service commitment is the indispensible first step in this direction towards online delivery of public services.

Delivery of the Digital Britain vision will be made piecemeal and not overnight. A mixture of regulation, incentives and the levy will ensure the whole of the UK benefits from a 21st digital infrastructure, not just those lucky ‘hot spot’ dwellers. No doubt there is more work to be done, but in his short period of time as a Minister, Lord Carter has laid down a definitive marker and given the UK a framework going forward that can guide it into the digital age.

By Daniel Smyth, Press and Public Affairs Executive.

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