Govt unveils digital economy bill

The government has announced plans to tackle illegal filesharing, help increase mobile broadband investment and set a framework for the digital radio switchover.

Thursday, 19 November 2009

At yesterday's (November 18th) state opening of parliament, the Queen's Speech included details of the government's digital economy bill, which will be published in full tomorrow.

The bill sets out a plan to clamp down on illegal filesharing that includes two stages of action. The first phase focuses on educating consumers and sending letters to offenders, while the second invokes powers to disconnect those who persistently download content that infringes copyright.

Gordon Brown's government also plans to modernise the spectrum so mobile broadband investment can be increased and lay out a framework to complete the digital radio switchover by 2015.

Channel 4's remit will additionally be expanded to include public service content across a greater number of platforms, including TV and the internet.

"My government will introduce a bill to ensure communications infrastructure that is fit for the digital age, supports future economic growth, delivers competitive communications and enhances public service broadcasting," the Queen said.

The bill does not include certain elements of the Digital Britain report published in June this year, such as plans for enabling universal broadband access.

Related stories:

• Illegal downloaders 'do pay for music'

• Guilty verdict in Pirate Bay case

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