Pre Budget Report 2008 – the Ofcom nuggets…

Sections 4.63 – 4.65:

Information and communication technologies (ICT) play a critical role in underpinning commercial activity and driving economic growth. Digital technology creates significant opportunities for business and consumers alike but, going forward, a range of decisions willbe required from Government and industry to maintain the UK’s position at the forefront of the digital infrastructure and content industries. The Digital Britain report is developing a strategic framework for the digital communications sector.  An interim report in early 2009 will inform Government of the options and prospects for a universal broadband infrastructure, a liberalised and fully functioning spectrum market providing the spectrum to support new ICT services, and investment in digital content – in particular maintaining quality and competition in news and other UK-originated content.

The Government will shortly publish its response to the Caio Review of Next Generation Access broadband (NGA). The Government agrees with the Review’s conclusion that investment, can, and should, be driven by the market. The response will also outline Government’s plans to address planning, access and other supply-side issues, to lower the cost of the build out and create the conditions to favour adoption of new investment models. In addition, the Government will set out a vision for NGA and implement a benchmarking process to review NGA roll-out in order to inform future policy.

Plans for the release of up to 112 MHz of spectrum cleared by the switch from analogue to digital terrestrial television were set out in November 2005. Since then, a number of other EU nations have also revealed their plans to release a similar ‘digital dividend’. This development could present significant new efficiencies and benefits to UK and EU consumers and industry, many of whom are making increasing use of devices and technologies that rely on a supply of suitable spectrum. However it also presents the UK with some challenges, especially in the context of the UK’s television transmitter networks. In light of this, and as part of the Government’s response to the Caio Review, the Government will work with Ofcom and other stakeholders, in preparation for the Digital Britain report, to capture the maximum benefits from radio spectrum in these and associated bands.

* * *

The DDR news is interesting… and ‘investment in digital content’ sounds like more state subsidy!

Let the good times roll…