Gordon Brown has said that today's Digital Britain report will guarantee broadband access for all, while he added that it was important to "develop and sustain" public service content such as regional TV news.The prime minister, writing in today's Times ahead of this afternoon's publication of the report, said that a digital UK could not become a "two-tier Britain".However, expectations ahead of the report have been lowered, with no deal expected to be announced between BBC Worldwide and Channel 4, and no firm proposals on ITV's regional news provision.Millions of homes are also expected to be denied superfast internet access for at least a decade because of a failure to reach agreement on who should pay for the upgrade, according to the Times.
Gordon Brown has said that today's Digital Britain report will guarantee broadband access for all, while he added that it was important to "develop and sustain" public service content such as regional TV news.
The prime minister, writing in today's Times ahead of this afternoon's publication of the report, said that a digital UK could not become a "two-tier Britain".
However, expectations ahead of the report have been lowered, with no deal expected to be announced between BBC Worldwide and Channel 4, and no firm proposals on ITV's regional news provision.
Millions of homes are also expected to be denied superfast internet access for at least a decade because of a failure to reach agreement on who should pay for the upgrade, according to the Times.
BBC NEWS | Technology | Tax to pay for fast net access
Every Briton with a fixed-line phone will pay a "small levy" of 50p per month to pay for faster net access.The national fund created by the levy will be used to ensure most Britons get access to future net technologies. The proposal is part of the Digital Britain report outlined by Culture Secretary Ben Bradshaw in Parliament. The report also includes a pledge to curb unlawful file sharing by giving regulator Ofcom new powers to identify persistent pirates.
Every Briton with a fixed-line phone will pay a "small levy" of 50p per month to pay for faster net access.
The national fund created by the levy will be used to ensure most Britons get access to future net technologies.
The proposal is part of the Digital Britain report outlined by Culture Secretary Ben Bradshaw in Parliament.
The report also includes a pledge to curb unlawful file sharing by giving regulator Ofcom new powers to identify persistent pirates.
£180m a year in perpetuity as a free gift to the wholesale broadband sellers? Very nice.
