The Digital Economy Bill

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Digital Economy Bill

Every UK citizen has the right to a fast internet connection

The Digital Economy Bill 2016

You may or may not be aware that on the 18th May 2016 The Digital Economy Bill was announced in the Queens speech and introduced in the House of Commons on the 5th July.

The Digital Economy Bill  will set a new Universal Service Obligation ( USO ) which will spell out consumers’ rights to have a fast internet connection installed upon request. The initial speed defined by Government has been set to 10 Mbs, however  Ofcom will have the power to review this periodically to ensure the minimum speed set is adequate enough for the current technology available.

Commenting on the bill, digital economy minister Ed Vaizey has said: “We want the UK to be a place where technology ceaselessly transforms the economy, society and government. The UK has always been at the forefront of technological change, and the measures in the Digital Economy Bill provide the necessary framework to make sure we remain world leaders.”

Part two of this bill concentrates on Digital Infrastructure which includes;

Enabling digital infrastructure

  • New Electronic Communications Code to cut the cost and simplify the building of mobile and superfast broadband infrastructure
  • New and simpler planning rules for building broadband infrastructure
Digital Economy Minister Ed Vaizey said:
“There has been a profound shift over the last decade in the way citizens approach and access digital communications. What was once seen as a luxury is now a basic need”
“Our overall package of reforms strikes the right balance of interests between site providers, communications providers and most importantly, the public interest in ensuring communications service
meets the needs of UK citizens in the digital era.”

Although this isn’t quite law yet, Parliament is expected to debate the bill in the coming months when it will then move from the Commons to the House of Lords sometime in the autumn. Subject to timetables it is set to become law around spring 2017.

For more information on the Digital Economy Bill please visit the Gov.uk website using this link below

Gov.UK’s website

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