I reckon these responses break down as:
Commercial telcos/ suppliers
12 responses; BT, O2, Vodafone not listed, presumably confidential responses
Creative industries – commercial
13 responses; similarly the main broadcasters (BBC, ITV, 4) not listed
Communications Industry groups
18 responses, including engineering groups
Councils/RDA/Community groups
14 responses; surprisingly several Community Broadband Network groups are not listed; includes Upper Deverills Parish Council !
Creative industries - industry groups
34 responses - the most active group; wide range of organisations covering film, TV, print, radio, libraries
Public interest organizations
3 concerned about rights, 1 about security and 1 child protection
Unions/political parties
5 unions and the Green Party
College/research groups
3 responses
Individuals
14 including two responses from academics and two from MPs
Others
7 responses; eg British Space Centre
At a macro level this represents a lot of different standpoints at different places in the value chain – a nightmare to resolve. But even within distinct parts of the market there are deeply entrenched views. Here are a few comments on those responses I’ve managed to get through so far – contact me if you want more.
“PLUMBERS”
No way are Vodafone and O2 going to give up spectrum without a fight. Despite the best endeavours of the ever-charming Kip Meek from BSG, this one looks like going to the wire. In its tussles with the regulator and Government, BT eventually learned that short-term wins often translated into longer-term problems – this penny has not dropped for these guys yet.
BSkyB wants Virgin Media to open up its network by offering wholesale products, are against public subsidies for USO and want duct sharing. BT will have pointed out the practical difficulties of duct sharing and will be wary of a USO fund (they’ve played that sort of game before). Virgin also favour a market-led approach, but “keep your hands off our network”. The Number (118 118) are more concerned about service provider competition, good wholesale products and Voice over Broadband.
“POETS”
Here the Channel 4/PSB issue is a key focus of debate. Sky and Guardian Media Group (GMG) want controls on the BBC and a market-led approach to PSB. Five is trying to hang on in there with the idea of linear TV and its PSB role (keeping its C4 arguments behind the scenes). The NUJ wants the spectrum released from the Digital Dividend to be earmarked for the PSB. The Beeb’s response is not on the DCMS site, but SamKnows reports that they are keen on playing a “central role” in partnership with other media players, opening up iPlayer for other broadcasters.
Carter’s proposal for a Rights Agency gets a lot of attention. There is almost uniform agreement that piracy is bad, that protecting rights is essential to ensure investment in creative industries. The Design and Artists Copyright Society is concerned that small players will lose out. The “Alliance against IP Theft” ( a collection of 21 organisations mainly focused on the film industry and video games) want a clear role for the Agency (focused on illegal downloading), but for commercial issues to remain managed by the private sector. Even the Premier League get in on the act, demanding protection for their IPR and looking for the Rights Agency to be given clear direction.
GMG also raise the issue of value disappearing to search engines and other aggregators and want Carter to help them keep control of some of this.
COMMUNITY GROUPS
The views of community groups on network issues are more consistent: “we must have superfast broadband”; a “digital divide” or “two-speed Britain” is a bad thing; “the broadband USO does not go far/fast enough”; and “BT won’t do it, so Government should fund it as a means of economic recovery”. Digital Birmingham argue for public investment in duct; eHampshire want support for local community networks and for Building Regulations to insist on fibre installation in new homes; the RDAs suggest public sector procurement as a way forward; and Upper Deverills Parish Council are using all their influence to press for a faster USO.
THE FREE-THINKERS
There are enthusiasts for 4G and internet radio, concern over the problems of migrating to DAB, and demands for better funding of talent development. The Green Party want mobile base station sharing to reduce energy use and spectrum allocation which allows energy-efficient solutions.
7 responses; eg British Space Centre
At a macro level this represents a lot of different standpoints at different places in the value chain – a nightmare to resolve. But even within distinct parts of the market there are deeply entrenched views. Here are a few comments on those responses I’ve managed to get through so far – contact me if you want more.
“PLUMBERS”
No way are Vodafone and O2 going to give up spectrum without a fight. Despite the best endeavours of the ever-charming Kip Meek from BSG, this one looks like going to the wire. In its tussles with the regulator and Government, BT eventually learned that short-term wins often translated into longer-term problems – this penny has not dropped for these guys yet.
BSkyB wants Virgin Media to open up its network by offering wholesale products, are against public subsidies for USO and want duct sharing. BT will have pointed out the practical difficulties of duct sharing and will be wary of a USO fund (they’ve played that sort of game before). Virgin also favour a market-led approach, but “keep your hands off our network”. The Number (118 118) are more concerned about service provider competition, good wholesale products and Voice over Broadband.
“POETS”
Here the Channel 4/PSB issue is a key focus of debate. Sky and Guardian Media Group (GMG) want controls on the BBC and a market-led approach to PSB. Five is trying to hang on in there with the idea of linear TV and its PSB role (keeping its C4 arguments behind the scenes). The NUJ wants the spectrum released from the Digital Dividend to be earmarked for the PSB. The Beeb’s response is not on the DCMS site, but SamKnows reports that they are keen on playing a “central role” in partnership with other media players, opening up iPlayer for other broadcasters.
Carter’s proposal for a Rights Agency gets a lot of attention. There is almost uniform agreement that piracy is bad, that protecting rights is essential to ensure investment in creative industries. The Design and Artists Copyright Society is concerned that small players will lose out. The “Alliance against IP Theft” ( a collection of 21 organisations mainly focused on the film industry and video games) want a clear role for the Agency (focused on illegal downloading), but for commercial issues to remain managed by the private sector. Even the Premier League get in on the act, demanding protection for their IPR and looking for the Rights Agency to be given clear direction.
GMG also raise the issue of value disappearing to search engines and other aggregators and want Carter to help them keep control of some of this.
COMMUNITY GROUPS
The views of community groups on network issues are more consistent: “we must have superfast broadband”; a “digital divide” or “two-speed Britain” is a bad thing; “the broadband USO does not go far/fast enough”; and “BT won’t do it, so Government should fund it as a means of economic recovery”. Digital Birmingham argue for public investment in duct; eHampshire want support for local community networks and for Building Regulations to insist on fibre installation in new homes; the RDAs suggest public sector procurement as a way forward; and Upper Deverills Parish Council are using all their influence to press for a faster USO.
THE FREE-THINKERS
There are enthusiasts for 4G and internet radio, concern over the problems of migrating to DAB, and demands for better funding of talent development. The Green Party want mobile base station sharing to reduce energy use and spectrum allocation which allows energy-efficient solutions.
So best of luck Lord Carter – there’s no way to please everyone. Personally, as a “plumber”, I find the “poets” arguments generally self-serving, idealistic and uncommercial, when sharing value with those building the networks has to be the only way forward. However, as the media likes nothing more than talking about itself, I’m sure that’s what we’ll be hearing most about in the coming months.
