Convergence Conversation

Somewhat behind original timelines, the government has today given further indication of how it will proceed with implementing the Audiovisual Media Services Directive into UK law.

Today has seen the publication of a press release, Ministerial Statement from Andy Burnham, and a document giving an overview of responses to the original consultation.

An initial glance (so forgive me if a more detailed read thows up further information) shows that whilst the main thrust of the government approach is made clear, there is still a long way to go on the detail.

Today's documents state that the government wishes to apply the Directive only to those "mass media services whose principal purpose is to provide television programming to the public on demand."

The scope of services that will be captured by the Directive has been one of ongoing concern and where clarity is urgently required - as stated strongly in the BS

The Government’s Digital Britain report rightly devotes a chapter to how you can “equip everyone to benefit” from the digital future.

Whilst much of the commentary around the report has focused on infrastructure, broadband speeds and protection of copyright online, the important issue of how to drive take-up has been somewhat overlooked.

Such an oversight would be dangerous. 

Without widespread take-up of broadband and the services which run over it, growth scenarios for the sector and the economy more widely will suffer. 

Without tackling the various and often complicated reasons for people choosing not to get “online”, there is also the risk that a significant section of the population miss out on the opportunities that the digital future offers them. 

Not an outcome that anyone would seek. More...

Virgin Media's statement today that it could be offering broadband speeds of 200Mbps by 2012 certainly puts the cats amongst the pidgeons in the ever noisier debate surrounding next generation broadband.

Last month, BT announced that it would invest £1.5bn to bring next generation broadband to 10 million homes by 2012.  The speeds that would be available were quoted in BT's release as 40Mbps to 60 Mbps for those homes serviced by a Fibre to the Cabinet (FTTC) deployment.  Fibre to the Premises (FTTP) could, it said, offer speeds up to 100Mbps. More...