Warwick Business School: 'High-speed broadband necessary to bring UK into digital age'

15:00 6th February 2009

Investment in high-speed broadband will be a necessary commitment if the digital age is to properly dawn in the UK, according to Warwick Business School.

Dr Chris Doyle, associate at the Centre for Management Under Regulation at Warwick Business School and the Department of Economics at the University of Warwick, said that the proliferation of high-speed broadband services needed to be encouraged.

In addition, he said the government could take measures to ensure next-generation technology was used, even if it did not ultimately end up footing the bill.

Talking at the Joint Westminster eForum & Westminster Media Forum keynote seminar: Digital Britain, Dr Doyle said: "Embracing the digital future is an absolute must for a knowledge economy such as the UK's."

He added that Lord Stephen Carter, the first minister for communications, technology and broadcasting saw high-speed broadband as essential to Britain's economic future.

People could pursue database administration courses and computer training to heighten their understanding and experience of IT and the web.

A recent government report has outlined plans to modernise broadband networks across the UK.