DIGITAL ECONOMYA CLAMPDOWN on illegal file-sharing and a pledge to provide universal broadband coverage by 2012 are two key pillars of the Government's proposed Digital Economy Bill.
The Government wants to bring forward "legi
slation to provide an infrastructure fit for the digital age" through a bill which will implement many of the key recommendations of the Digital Britain white paper published by former communications minister Lord Carter in June.
Included will be a 'universal service' commitment that every premises in Britain must be able to receive broadband of at least two Mb/s by 2012, with public funds being used to roll out the technology to the most remote areas.
Tougher laws will be introduced to protect children from violent computer games, with age ratings of 12 and above put on a statutory footing as part of a revamped classification system.
There will also be legislation to push toward the switchover to digital radio in 2015, an "update" of Channel 4's public service remit and new powers for Ofcom to monitor and promote the installation of new technologies.
Most controversial, however, is business secretary Lord Mandelson's plan to force internet service providers (ISPs) to clamp down on people illegally sharing files over the internet, with the worst offenders to be disconnected altogether if written warnings are not heeded.
The move goes well beyond what was recommended in Lord Carter's white paper and is strongly opposed by top ISPs.
The measures do not include a second controversial pillar of Government's digital policy – a planned 50p-a-month tax on all landline phone bills to help fund the roll-out of next-generation fibre optic broadband to parts of the country it is otherwise unlikely to reach.
Treasury secretary Stephen Timms – the minister responsible for digital issues – told a conference in Leeds this week he is aiming to push the new tax onto the statute books before next year's general election, in spite of Troy opposition.
The tax is expected to be included in a finance bill following the pre-election budget next spring.
Digital spread across britainThe key points of the Digital Economy Bill:
Crackdown on illegal file-sharing, with new responsibilities for internet service providers.
Broadband to be made available to every premises in Britain by 2012.
A tough new classification system for violent computer games to protect children.
Measures to ensure all national radio stations are digital by the end of 2015.
Ofcom empowered to promote and monitor new communications infra-structure.
Channel 4's public service remit to be "up-dated" for the 21st century.
