United Kingdom

[GB] New Digital Law Promised

IRIS 2000-2:1/24

David Goldberg

deeJgee Research/Consultancy

A joint announcement has recently been made by the Secretary of State for Culture Media and Sport and the Trade and Industry Secretary, signaling the publication later this year of another White Paper, proposing a new law to "take account of the convergence of the communications industries." On June 17 1999, an earlier White Paper, "Regulating Communications: The Way Ahead" was published. The aim of the new White Paper will be to take into account the proposals that have emerged from the European Union, namely "Towards a New Framework for Electronic Communications Infrastructure and Associated Services". The Government intends not just to take account of convergence in the telecommunications, broadcasting, computer and information technologies industries, but also to make and keep the UK as "a world leader in providing communications services." A "joint Communications Reform Team" has been established; it will welcome comments and suggestions and publish comments and statements on new legislation. There is a direct e-mail.address for the Team: comms-reform@ culture.gov.uk