Some of you may be interested in a report by the UK Department of Trade and
Industry titled `Converging Technologies: Consequences for the new
Knowledge-Driven Economy'. The report is available at
http://www.dti.gov.uk/future-unit/htm/proj.htm in `pdf' format. If you are
wishing to print it, make sure you check `shrink to fit' in the `print
dialogue' box. There is even a press release at
http://www.nds.coi.gov.uk/coi/coipress.nsf which I've pasted below.
Cheers
David
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P/98/732 28 September 1998
'BRITAIN TO BE EUROPE'S DIGITAL PATHFINDER' DTI PUBLISHES REPORT ON
CONVERGING TECHNOLOGY FOR THE KNOWLEDGE-DRIVEN ECONOMY
The long term implications for business and society of the rapid growth and
convergence of information and communications systems are set out in a
discussion report published today by Peter Mandelson, Secretary of State for
Trade and Industry.
The report 'Converging Technologies: Consequences for the New Knowledge-
Driven Economy' analyses the impact that the growth of the global internet
and other forms of convergence will have on consumers, businesses and the
Government. It highlights the dramatic pace of change, citing the example
that it only took four years to get 100 million people on the internet
worldwide, three times quicker than any comparable innovation.
Announcing publication of the report today, Mr Mandelson said:
"I want Britain to be Europe's digital pathfinder. The convergence of
information and communications systems will have a major impact on commerce
and society. One of the main consequences of convergence, the global
internet, is already transforming the way business is done.
"The report looks at the issues Government needs to consider to ensure that
existing and new industries alike seize the opportunities offered by the new
information and communications technologies.
"As the UK becomes a knowledge-driven economy, it is vital that all
companies, and in particular small and medium sized enterprises, are aware
of these changes and how they can take advantage of them, driving innovation
more rapidly throughout the economy.
"Today's report is intended to be thought provoking and initiate a debate.
It looks at the implications for business in the next century. There is
scope for extraordinary improvements in quality and productivity and major
changes in the way products and services are provided and brought to market.
"For the long term, we need to ensure that we have a framework of regulation
which empowers consumers for the new century and encourages competition and
innovation. Work is in hand to examine all aspects of my Department's
regulatory and business support services to ensure that they are fully
aligned with this goal.
"There will also be an impact on the high street; with electronic shopping
at 'virtual' hypermarkets carrying ten times more lines than any
conventional store; and intermediaries, such as travel agents and insurance
brokers, needing to adapt in the face of increasing electronic competition."
'Converging Technologies: consequences for the new knowledge-driven economy'
has been drawn up by the DTI's recently created Future Unit whose role is to
champion the development of the knowledge-driven economy.
Notes to Editors
1. The report 'Converging Technologies: Consequences for the new
knowledge-driven economy' is available from the Department of Trade &
Industry publications order line - tel. 0870 1502500, fax. 0870 1502333. It
is also being published on the Internet and can be found at
http://www.dti.gov.uk/future-unit
2. This is the first in a series of reports planned by the DTI Future Unit.
The unit was created in April 1998 with the mission to "champion the future
and catalyse change through partnership with others in DTI and elsewhere,
achieving this through: creating insights into industries and markets of the
future; facilitating the sharing of visions; and breaking down barriers."
3. The report's author, Jim Norton, is the former head of the DTI's
Radiocommunications Agency. Prior to this he spent more than twenty years in
the telecommunications and IT industries, with British Telecom, Butler Cox
and Cable & Wireless. He is a Visiting Professor of Electronic Engineering
at the University of Sheffield.
ENDS
______________________________
David Goldstein
Project Officer, Online Services
Australian Broadcasting Authority
email: david.goldstein@aba.gov.au
phone: +61 2 9334 7938 fax: +61 2 9334 7799
URL: http://www.aba.gov.au
______________________________