MOORE DEMANDS DIGITAL DIVIDEND FOR THE BORDERS

12.00.00am GMT Fri 14th Dec 2007

Reacting to the announcement from the communications watchdog Ofcom of a multi-billion pound auction of the airwaves that will be freed-up by the digital switchover process, Borders MP Michael Moore has demanded that some of the revenue raised from the process be earmarked for digital inclusion for rural areas.

The spectrum that will become available once the UK has switched from analogue television to digital could be put to a range of uses, including: more digital television channels, high definition television services on Freeview, broadband technology, high speed mobile services and local television stations.

Ofcom carried out a consultation earlier this year on how it should handle the freed-up spectrum. Mr Moore responded to the consultation and emphasised the need to ensure that rural areas are included in future technological developments. He is becoming increasingly concerned that the Borders will miss out on innovations such as interactive television.

The Ofcom Chief Executive, Ed Richards, has announced that they have decided to pursue a "market-led approach" to the selling of the spectrum, and described the decision as "one of the most important decisions we have ever made". But local MP Michael Moore believes that some of the revenue raised from the auction should be earmarked solely for the provision of digital services to rural areas such as the Borders.

He said:

"As the switchover preparations have rolled on in the Borders over the past year or so, it has become increasingly clear to me that we will have to fight to be included in the technological revolution that is taking place in the UK. We have had to lobby for digital radio, and we are still having to campaign for all the Freeview channels to be provided to everyone in the Borders after switchover, even though we are the guinea pigs for the whole process.

"It is important that Ofcom recognises the need to build in safeguards for rural areas. Digital switchover was hailed as being necessary to prevent a two-tier digital nation, but that is exactly what we look set to have.

"There is, without doubt, enough spectrum available for all rural households to be provided with digital services - in fact new technology which frees up spectrum is coming out all the time- so that excuse can no longer be used. It will come down to a question of money, but since billions of pounds will be raised from this auction, I fail to see why some it cannot be set aside to ensure that the digital divide between urban and rural areas is finally closed."