The highly-anticipated Digital Britain report has been unveiled and includes key proposals for the future of the licence fee, broadband and a potential tie-up between BBC Worldwide and Channel 4.

Key proposals in the report include:

Communications Infrastructure

  • Universal access to 2Mbps broadband by 2012.

  • A fund for investment in the next generation of superfast broadband to ensure it is available UK-wide.

  • Digital radio upgrade by 2015.

  • Accelerating current and next generation mobile coverage and services.

  • Proposed new role for Ofcom to carry out a full assessment of the UK’s communications infrastructure every two years.

Digital Content

  • Robust legal and regulatory framework to combat digital piracy.

  • Introduce digital test beds to promote innovation, experimentation and learning around creation and monetization of digital content.

  • BBC licence fee: consultation on contained contestability, primarily to secure news in the nations, regions and locally.

  • A new direction for Channel 4, championing new talent across all digital media.

  • Guidance note and clarification on the media merger regime and an enhanced evidence role for the regulator in local mergers.

  • Support for independently funded news consortia to take over regional news on ITV.

Digital Participation

  • Three-year national plan to improve digital participation.

  • Programme of digital switchover in public services.

  • A new ‘Digital Inclusion Champion’: Martha Lane Fox.

  • Revised digital remit for Channel 4 and a key role for BBC in digital development.

  • Guaranteed funding for three years for targeted marketing and outreach.

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