Paul Hide
An open letter to the next prime minister from Paul Hide, director of operations at techUK
Dear next PM
In Securing our Digital Future: the techUK manifesto for Growth and Jobs 2015-2020, we called on the next government to recognise the critical significance of the global digital revolution.
Reading the Manifestos, it has been great to see technology and digital being considered by all the major parties. It’s clear that there is an increasing acknowledgement that as well as being a successful sector, technology also has the potential to transform the economy and address some of the UK’s wider social and economic challenges.
There is no part of government policy that is not touched by technology, and from creating jobs and developing skills to delivering better public services and efficiencies in the NHS, we call on the next government to realise that tech must play a role in every government department, if the whole of the UK is to benefit from the power of the digital revolution.
Specifically for the electronics industry, there are five key areas the next government needs to prioritise:
1. BBC Charter Renewal
As we look towards the creation of a new BBC Charter, it is vital that the impact of the BBC upon the UK technology market is adequately understood. As one of the largest and most innovative public service broadcasters in the world, the BBC is capable of having a significantly positive or negative impact on the UK consumer technology market.
Decisions taken by the BBC with regards to technology roadmaps and distribution methods, not only have an impact on the cost of devices and services enjoyed by UK consumers, but on the very competitiveness and sustainability of the UK technology sector itself. We believe that just as the BBC have a remit to support the UK creative economy, a similar such remit must be put in place in BBC’s next Charter for the UK tech economy from 2016.
We also believe that it is in the interest of licence fee payers and viewers that the BBC should look to European and Global common standards and platforms (particularly relating to Digital Terrestrial TV) on which to deliver their content and not develop bespoke UK-specific technologies that drive up unnecessary additional cost.
2. Future of Digital Terrestrial TV (DTT)
In 2014, Ofcom published a decision to make valuable airwaves in the 700MHz Spectrum available for mobile broadband services, while securing the future of digital terrestrial TV. This decision allows mobile network operators to deliver mobile broadband using some of the frequencies currently used for digital terrestrial TV services, such as Freeview.
Whilst techUK welcome this decision that opens up consumer benefits and commercial opportunity in the mobile network space we are also working to ensure that DTT consumers continue to enjoy the channel choice and High Definition content that is available today on the Freeview service. We call on the new government to take the necessary steps to protect the future of DTT in the UK.
3. Free-to-view content
The way viewers consume TV and other content is changing, moving from large to small screen, fixed location to mobile viewing, over air to online format, and broadcast to on demand consumption. Our device community members have specific concerns over the requirement on TV manufacturers to pay a device levy for the provision of DTT catch-up TV services as this can create cost that is passed onto the consumer. We believe consumers should be able to access free-to-view content however they wish and the enabling technologies and hardware should not be subject to any additional fees and levies.
4. Digital Radio Switchover
techUK is committed to supporting a digital radio (DAB) switchover in the UK. We believe the switchover will benefit both consumers and broadcasters: for consumers it will provide greater choice, additional added value services and the opportunity for improved reception; for broadcasters it will encourage innovation and remove the duplicated costs of broadcasting on both analogue and DAB.
We ask the new government to support the current DAB policy and reiterate the commitment to digital radio switchover. Switchover is achievable within the next 10 years and the new BBC charter should allow for the costs of supporting switchover, including making provision to support vulnerable consumer groups.
5. Supporting Export Growth
techUK’s recently published report on export controls for Electronic Systems, Assemblies and Components was produced with input from our electronics network partners.
The report covered areas where UK electronics business provided evidence where they perceive that they can be disadvantaged versus overseas companies when competing for international orders. The required actions outlined in this report received positive acceptance by senior Ministers and we look forward to working with ECO and BIS to ensure that businesses can benefit from implementation of the agreed improvement actions at the earliest opportunity.
from News http://ift.tt/1IMGcXS
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