Digital Britain Launched Today

British Prime Minister Gordon Brown (pictured) in a release today, announced publication of the Digital Britain Report, "an action plan for the digital economy."

"Digital Britain," said Brown, "is about giving the country the tools to succeed and lead the way in the economy of the future ... Investing in areas such as broadband access for every home and business and the move from analog to digital technology will bring benefits across the board, driving growth, enabling businesses to thrive, and providing new opportunities and choices for households right across the country. It is an essential part of building Britain's future."

Initiatives listed in the report include:

• Universal access to broadband by 2012
• A broadband investment fund
• Digital radio upgrade by 2015
• Accelerated current and next generation mobile coverage and services
• Digital switchover in public services
• A new digital inclusion champion: Martha Lane Fox
• Revised digital remit for Channel 4 and key role for BBC
• Robust legal and regulatory framework to combat digital piracy
• Support for independently funded news consortia
• Investment in a new national fiber-optic network

The report also addresses upgrades in the energy grid, phased street traffic lights and other transportation innovations enabled by digital infrastructure.

The Times of London said of the plan that the tax-supported BBC may face uncertain funding as new media opportunities unfold and the government's plan to stop digital piracy could lead to increased Internet monitoring.