'Digital Dividend' Plan

Ofcom has released details of its plans for awarding the spectrum that will be freed up by the switch to digital TV in 2012.

Ed Richards, CEO of Ofcom, said in a statement: "The digital-dividend will be one of the most significant and valuable spectrum releases in the UK for 20 years. Our approach is designed to maximise these considerable benefits for UK citizens and consumers as a whole.

"We can expect the benefits of the digital dividend to include more choice, fresh competition and technological innovation."

The regulator said it has identified several potential uses for the latest spectrum windfall -- which it believes will add £5bn to £10bn to the UK economy over a 20-year period -- including high-speed mobile broadband, mobile TV and local TV stations.

Via BusinessWeek

Future Broadband

UK is lagging behind in the push for next-generation broadband-networks.

BT has said it is unwilling to fund a £15bn fibre-optic network to every home in the UK, and there are concerns over how such a network would make money.


> Find out more about the technologies that could deliver faster broadband.