SUMMIT SPARKS DIGITAL DEBATE
Nearly 500 top decision-makers from business and public life met on Monday (21 November) to shape the UK's digital future and to examine how the way people live and work will soon be changing.
The Broadband Britain Summit, at London's QEII Conference Centre, included key presentations from The Rt Hon Alun Michael MP, Minister of State for Industry and the Regions, Sir Digby Jones, director general of the CBI and Ed Richards, chief operating officer of Ofcom.
It was hosted by InterForum, the not-for-profit, independent organisation which promotes the acceleration of information and communication technology to improve the business performance of the UK. Said its chief executive, Phil Flaxton: "This year the summit looked at how achieving digital excellence can improve the cohesion of UK society, the wealth of its economy and the quality of life of its citizens.
"The growth of business being done on the Internet continues to accelerate, and more and more companies and organisations large and small are joining this tidal wave of connectivity. But, there is a social benefit which is only just beginning to be realised and that is the potential of more flexible working. Advancing ICT means that staff can undertake many activities from any workstation in any office almost anywhere, and even from home.
"This whole huge area of changed working patterns is the subject of Work Wise Week, which is being staged by InterForum next February, to demonstrate the massive benefits to UK business of facilitating more flexible working."
In his presentation, The Rt Hon. Alun Michael MP, Minister of State for Industry and the Regions detailed the Government's digital strategy. It is committed to ensuring that the whole of society can reap the benefits from advances in technology. Internet connectivity is increasing in the UK with currently over 55.7 per cent (13 million households) having access [August 2005], of which 55 per cent are broadband connections. Nationally, broadband is available to 97 per cent of homes and businesses [BT]. He said: "Certainly progress is being made. Accessibility of the extensive infrastructure means that technology is becoming an integral part of everyday life.
"We now have the most extensive Broadband market in the G7. And we have the third most competitive.
"But not everyone is making use of the infrastructure and technology available. And some people are excluded from using these resources.
"We must bridge the digital divide by exploiting the many benefits the technology brings. It gives us the chance to increase public service access, to improve employment prospects and to enhance educational, financial and social benefits."
Sir Digby Jones, director general of the CBI, explained how the UK's GDP and global competitiveness will increase with the implementation of new technologies such as broadband: "The global economy is undergoing rapid and massive changes, with one of the greatest challenges facing UK business today being how to adapt to the rise in competition from overseas rivals with much lower labour and environmental costs.
"We do not hide behind protectionist measures as the Americans and French do but we embrace open markets as an opportunity to make both productivity and welfare gains."
With online sales in the UK reaching £71.1 billion in the UK this year, a massive increase from £39.5 billion in 2004, demonstrates the increasing importance of the Internet for doing business.
Ed Richards, chief operating officer at Ofcom, outlined how content will deliver extensive opportunities for a successful UK knowledge economy, with Karen Price, chief executive of E-Skills UK, introduced the education and skills agenda - embedding technology into people's lives - how processes and people fit together.
Peter Thomson, director of the Future Work Forum at Henley Management Centre looked at the flexible working agenda, previewing the Work Wise Week initiative taking place throughout the UK from the 19 to 27 February 2006, which will show how technology will change the way we work and live.
A key element of the summit was a debate, chaired by Declan Curry, business presenter for the BBC Breakfast programme, where an invited audience of 470 decision-makers from forward-thinking businesses, Government (central, regional, local), regional development agencies, professional and trade associations and Members of Parliament discussed digital Britain.
The Summit was also supported by the regional development agencies. Dr Peter Waller, head of wired region strategy and development for SEEDA, said: "With high speed Broadband Internet services being deployed across the South East, people and businesses now need to be made aware of what Broadband can do for them, beyond just email and web browsing. We need to ensure the potential of Broadband is realised and that people, businesses and the public sector, benefit from the many significant new digital services and applications which Broadband enables. The Broadband Britain Summit is a significant contribution to this objective."
Andy Walton, eBusiness manager at One NorthEast, said: "eBusiness and eCommerce are key to improving our regional economy. Broadband is vital to making the digital economy work, which is why we are supporting the Broadband Britain summit."
"Events such as this help One NorthEast move the agenda forward. The discussion which needs to take place with the region's SMEs is no longer just about having broadband, but more about adopting new technology effectively and making the internal business changes needed to ensure our business community gains competitive advantage."
Fabian King, Head of Regional ICT at the South West of England Regional Development Agency, said: "Businesses in South West of England are using ICT to become more competitive and access international markets, which is good for the region's economy. Community groups and individuals are also benefiting from broadband access as it can improve people's quality of life and enhance skills and learning opportunities for all ages."
