The UK Government yesterday set a new target for online access - everyone should have it in their home by 2008 through a variety of devices. Trade and industry Minister Patricia Hewitt published the fourth UK online annual report, and announced creation of a Digital Inclusion Panel to ensure everyone is connected.
She applauded progress in setting up 6000 local online centres, and added: “While it is great news that so many people have access to the internet, we must continue to bridge the digital divide. The Digital Inclusion Panel will play a key role in helping us ensure that every home in the UK should have a connection to online services through a digital network by 2008 – whether through a personal computer, DTV, mobile phone or other device.” Press release here.
The private sector-led Digital Inclusion Pane "will provide advice to Government and industry about how to ensure a digitally United Kingdom. This advice will help address the issue of how industry and Government can reach out to those who have so far not taken advantage of the online services, the internet and digital television."
The Minister added: "The Digital Inclusion Panel will play a key role in helping us ensure that every home in the UK should have a connection to online services through a digital network by 2008 – whether through a personal computer, DTV, mobile phone or other device.”
About 50% of UK households have Internet access, most through dial up connections. This compares with 9% at the end of 1998.
The press release doesn't expand on how the target will be achieved - that's the job of the Panel. Presumably it doesn't mean more programmes like the Wired Up Communities pilot, where 12,000 homes were given free computers or other connections, but rather ensuring the mix of devices that people use - phones, digital TV - can all deliver connectivity. Nor, of course, does it mean that even if everyone can access the Internet, they will do. Government is concerned that the big investment in putting public services online will pay off. The press release says that over two-thirds of government services are now online, and that more than half of all internet users have also used government services and information online.
The initial Government and lottery funding for UK online centres is running down, and many are now trying to work out if they have a future through a mix of courses, grant-funded projects, help in kind and volunteering. It looks as if Government is now switching the focus for digital inclusion policy to home and mobile use.
Guardian report here.
Update
Life chances harmed by the digital divide
People excluded from the use of new technology are increasingly facing reduced opportunities as a result, according to the Institute for Public Policy Research (ippr), which today (Tuesday), hosts a major conference on equality in the digital age.
Speaking at ippr's first annual e-Quality Festival, the Minister for Young People and Adult Skills, Ivan Lewis said: 'The Government has made a significant commitment to developing ICT access, both through learndirect and through UK online centres with £396m invested in UK online centres since 1999 and over £300m in learndirect. This investment is now beginning to pay off. The second UK online centres evaluation study, due to be published this month, makes clear that nearly three quarters of centre users had previously not used the internet due to lack of access or skills, and over 60 per cent were from socially excluded groups.' Delegates including business leaders, civil servants and representatives of voluntary sector bodies working on digital exclusion issues will examine what more needs to be done.
IPPR press release
Thanks to Ruralnet xPRESS Digest
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