Government & Policy
02 February 2009
Digital Britain will benefit all, but who will foot the bill? The Observer
Faster internet access for everyone does not come cheap - and the whole industry may have to chip in, write Richard Wray and James Robinson in The Observer.
01 February 2009
Mixed reaction to Digital Britain plans BBC News
Reaction to the publication of Lord Carter's interim report on Digital Britain has been swift. The 86-page report sets out ambitious targets for the government to make broadband ubiquitous across the UK, reform radio spectrum, and sort out public broadcasting.
31 January 2009
EC proposes €5b new energy & broadband infrastructure investment in 2009-2010 EUROPA
As part of the ongoing implementation of the EU recovery plan endorsed by the European Council in December 2008, the European Commission has today presented proposals to invest in key energy and Internet broadband infrastructure projects. These will deliver a much needed stimulus to the EU economy in the short term, while at the same time targeting strategic goals such as energy security. All Member States will benefit from the package of measures.
30 January 2009
Britain's digital future unveiled: broadband for all and a crackdown on internet pirates The Guardian
The communications minister, Lord Carter, has pledged to deliver broadband to every home in the UK by 2012 and intends to introduce legislation to force internet service providers to crack down on web piracy. ... The opposition parties were especially critical of the government's commitment to broadband speeds "up to" 2Mbps as part of its pledge to offer universal broadband access by 2012.
NZ Govt rejects calls to alter internet law Stuff
[Dominion Post] Calls to repeal a law that could mean Kiwi internet users have their connections cut if they are accused of breaching copyright have been knocked back by the Government.
Digital Britain report set to push broadband for all by 2012 The Guardian
Getting broadband to everyone in the UK by 2012 is expected to be one of the central ambitions of Lord Stephen Carter when the communications minister unveils his initial thoughts about creating a Digital Britain tomorrow.
Europe Ponders Its Next Step in Intel Inquiry New York Times
A decision by Intel, the chip maker, to defy European antitrust investigators raised questions Wednesday about how the European Commission should handle the remainder of the investigation and discourage similar behavior.
27 January 2009
Government delays Digital Britain report BBC News
Communications Minister Lord Carter was expected to publish interim findings on the UK's digital economy on 24 January.
Technology Gets a Piece of Obama Stimulus New York Times
The time-tested way for governments to create jobs in a hurry is to pour money into old-fashioned public works projects like roads and bridges. President Obama's economic recovery plan will do that, but it also has some ambitious 21st century twists, reports The New York Times.
26 January 2009
us: High-Speed Internet Grants Find Support in House Wall Street Journal
The House Energy and Commerce Committee on Thursday approved rules for billions in government funds to spur high-speed Internet networks in unserved and underserved areas.
US Broadband Bill Disappoints Nearly Everyone BusinessWeek
Critics say there's not enough money in the bill and that distributing funds through grants instead of tax credits will hamper job creation
UK 'broadband for all' plan under threat The Observer
Last week's dire profit warning from BT has put the company's plans to build a new super-fast broadband network for 10 million British homes in jeopardy. The warning also appears to have made it critical that the rest of the telecoms industry now help meet the estimated £3.5bn cost of realising the government's ambition to bring some form of broadband to every home by 2012.
25 January 2009
Google ready to pursue its agenda in Washington Los Angeles Times
The executives and employees of Google Inc., whose whose headquarters is in Mountain View, Ca., overwhelmingly supported Obama's candidacy. Google Chief Executive Eric Schmidt is now as likely as any corporate chieftain to get his calls to the White House returned.
24 January 2009
Ignorance no excuse over new NZ copyright law The Independent (NZ)
Thousands of New Zealand businesses are unaware they could be in breach of a copyright internet law to come into force next month, says Business New Zealand.
Obama Plan Says Cyber Infrastructure Is 'strategic' PC World
The Obama administration has published a high-level plan to protect U.S. computer networks, saying it considers cyber infrastructure "a strategic asset" and will appoint a cyber adviser who will report directly to the president.
22 January 2009
au: NBN winner could be a consortium Australian IT
The federal Government may ask bidders for the $15 billion National Broadband Network to form a consortium after it receives a recommendation on the bids from its expert panel early next week.
21 January 2009
NZ telcos want delay in law on net piracy New Zealand Herald
New Zealand telcos want to delay the introduction of new copyright laws to police internet privacy by up to two months while they iron out "controversial issues".
Scots possessing 'extreme' pornography to face jail Daily Telegraph
Scots found in possession of "realistic" rape images face jail sentences of up to three years under a crackdown on "extreme" pornography.
20 January 2009
Stephen Colbert interviews Lawrence Lessig on Copyright
Lawrence Lessig says the outdated copyright laws have turned our kids into criminals. Watch this hilarious interview by Stephen Colbert from The Colbert Report as Lessig promotes his book "Remix: Making Art and Commerce Thrive in the Hybrid Economy".
18 January 2009
EU accuses Microsoft of harming browser competition Reuters
The European Commission accused Microsoft Corp on Friday of stymieing competition by bundling its Internet Explorer Web browser with Windows systems, firing the latest salvo in an expensive, years-long battle with the software titan.
17 January 2009
FCC: How will changing of the guard impact big telecom issues? Network World
Now that Julius Genachowski has been selected by President-elect Barack Obama to chair the Federal Communications Commission, he can expect to be a very busy man over the next four years.
Missing White House E-Mails Traced, Justice Aide Says Washington Post
A Justice Department lawyer told a federal judge yesterday that the Bush administration will meet its legal requirement to transfer e-mails to the National Archives after spending more than $10 million to locate 14 million e-mails reported missing four years ago from White House computer files.
16 January 2009
Change Sweeping to the FCC Washington Post
Julius Genachowski, technology adviser to President-elect Barack Obama, is poised to become chairman of the Federal Communications Commission at a time when communications policy lies at the intersection of sweeping changes in the high-tech business landscape.
uk: Broadband for all to be funded by the industry The Guardian
The government wants everyone in the UK to have access to a basic broadband service by 2012, either through a traditional phone line or over a mobile phone network, with the telecoms industry paying for it.
Sea Change for South African Internet in 2009 Biz Community
Thanks to the pressure of preparation for 2010 and the Seacom undersea cable, the South African Internet and digital marketing, advertising and media industries should undergo a sea change this year.
