The Digital Britain report, which was expected to recommend universal broadband access for UK citizens, has been presented at a press conference. A journalist colleague, David Meyer, who was there, has let me know the top line of what was presented.
The report does indeed recommend that all users have access to broadband up to 2Mbps.
In terms of how this can be achieved, the government said that the market already covers two-thirds of next-generation broadband needs, but that there will be a 50p monthly levy on each copper line to fund next-gen broadband, to cover the remaining third of needs.
Unlicensed filesharers are to have their bandwidth reduced, plus be subject to protocol blocking. Their IDs may also be released for civil actions.
There will be a major telecoms resiliency test-exercise this year.
There will also be an internet crime and security initiative, combining parliament, government, and business.
There will be a consultation on Ofcom penalties for Communications Act 2003 contraveners.
The government is to provide a £23m fund for basic SME IT support.
There will also be more IT training for citizens.
Update: Ben Bradshaw, secretary of state for the department of culture, media, and sport, has just presented a speech to parliament.
Bradshaw said that the government wants next generation fixed broadband left to the market, but that "true, superfast access" will only be available to two thirds of people. To cater for the remaining third, Bradshaw said that there will be "a small levy on all fixed lines to establish a central fund" to pay for broadband access.
Bradshaw said they also needed to "modernise the wireless network".
The government is going to pass laws to restrict file-sharing, Bradshaw added.
"We will legislate to curb unlawful peer-to-peer filesharing," said Bradshaw. "Ofcom will be given the power to [release] identity to enable action by rights holders against serial offenders."
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Is the government planning on arresting or issuing fines for "illegal file-sharers?" 23 million pounds does not sound like enough money to buy the monitoring equipment necessary to "wiretap" all the Internet connections in Great Britain. Because that is what it will take. If they were going to issue fines I could see a real money making opportunity here for the tax coffers.
If I lived there and I was in the habit of exchanging family videos with my brother, how could the government know I wasn't sending an illegal copy of a Brittany Spear music video to him? They would have to tap my line, or my broadband connection, watch my streaming video or copy the file and then open it. Can they do that without a warrant in England?
It sounds like a jobs program for the Queen's subjects that will be operating the Internet version of the television monitor vans.