Government pushes for switchover to DAB radio in 2015
If the Government gets its way, the switchover to digital radio will happen in 2015 and there'll be a clampdown on illegal filesharing.
New legislation outlined in the Queen's Speech today is the Labour Government's last chance to implement the changes before a General Election next year.
Plans for tackling illegal filesharing involve a two-stage process. Initially the Government will attempt to educate consumers, and those identified as downloading illegal content will be sent letters asking them to stop.
If that fails, technical measures including powers to disconnect persistent pirates will be introduced in the spring of 2011.
The Digital Economy Bill will also include a simplification of the UK's complex copyright laws, making it easier for people to use images on the internet without having to get permission, and tougher laws to stop children getting hold of violent video games.
"My Government will introduce a bill to ensure communications infrastructure that is fit for the digital age, supports future economic growth, delivers competitive communications and enhances public service broadcasting," the Queen said in her speech.
The Digital Economy Bill is due to be announced in Parliament tomorrow, with full details published on Friday.
Some of the flagship initiatives in Lord Carter's Digital Britain report are not in the bill because they require new tax measures to be introduced.
So the much talked about broadband tax is not included and will be launched as part of the Finance Bill next year.
Nor is there any mention of the plan to introduce a minimum 2 megabits per second broadband across the UK by 2012.
Follow whathifi.com on Twitter
Comments
Well said Peter.
Same experience here albeit from other peoples gulability. No offence to anyone.
It's all a load off rubbish, they should concentrate on matching FM's signal quality before shoving this down our throats. I'm sure there must be back handers going on left right and centre to get this through by 2015.
I just feel sorry for all the people who fell into the trap of 'it's better than sliced bread' why, then do I love to cut my own slices, at least I have the option. Mind you euro law could change that, no more bloomers or tin loaves for me.
Scottyb- we're seeing increasing numbers of DAB radios (from Pure and others) arrive with DAB+ support already.
Looks like the BBC etall will need to make their minds up pretty damn quick about DAB+ then, before it is too late and Britain will be the poor man of Europe, with a second class digital system.
Will PURE be willing to convert all their current models to this new standard, as they will have to for Germany, France etc.
laserman16 - that's why Pure put out a release reminding people of the below, around five minutes after Digital Britain was announced!
http://whathifi.com/Review/Pure-Digital-Highway/
Makes you wonder about all the cars which don't have DAB at the moment.
Yes, I can't get a decent DAB signal in my kitchen so have had to switch back to FM. Looks like I won't have any choice after 2015.