Last week, the UK government published their comprehensive report titled Digital Britain which guides policy to encourage future expansion of broadband and technologies and enable economic growth.  I applaud the governments proactive role in not only creating a vision for how digital technologies can transform our business and society, but also their commitment to make it happen.  But the real question is what does this mean for businesses, organisations and individuals?  How do you capture the opportunity that real broadband offers?

Frankly, the UK is playing catch up in rolling out broadband and pushing digital technologies.  Elsewhere in the world, other countries have been promoting adoption of broadband and digital technologies for some years.  South Korea leads the way with a government led initiative that has resulted in half the population subscribing to super-fast broadband on fibre optic connections to buildings and to homes.  The other Asian neighbours are not far behind with Japan, Taiwan, and Hong Kong enjoying high adoption rates of fibre based services.  Here in Europe, the highest broadband adoption rates are in Scandinavian countries like Sweden and Norway where forward governments have sponsored widespread broadband rollouts.  And, elsewhere the new EU countries of Slovenia and Croatia are also moving fast by “leap frogging” to the very latest telecom infrastructure.  The race is on as governments continue to promote broadband and digital technologies to encourage growth out of this recession.

So how do you capitalise on the government stimulus for broadband and digital technologies?  Obviously there will be direct benefits to companies that sell equipment and services that enable Digital Britain and other initiatives including telecom, IT equipment, software and services.  But just like the networks of roads and bridges from past eras, the construction of today’s information superhighway provides benefits for many.  In the recent report by the OECD that recommended investments in telecom infrastructure as a means to rise out of the recession, the key areas of impact include connectivity, competition, innovation, and social benefits.  So how will you capture the opportunity?  What will it mean if you could connect your employees, customers and suppliers more easily and cheaply?  What kinds of applications would you be able to provide online to replace or augment off-line services?  Would you be able to expand into new markets and be more competitive than today?  What innovations could arise if you improve your organisations ability to connect and collaborate?  Real broadband means real opportunities for those who ask questions.  From this discovery, you will find new services and new business models that helps your organisation grow during these times.