Speaking for the first time since his appointment as chair in December, John Trower said the opportunity now exists for political leaders to “grasp the nettle and invest in digital building blocks” as part of the recovery.
“We have already seen the impact that technology can have on our lives – without it, far more would have ground to a halt while we were in lockdown. But we have also discovered that a large segment of our society is digitally excluded.
“Now is the time to embrace new, emerging technology can help tackle these issues head on – artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things, 5G and data analytics are poised to come into their own,” he added.
However, for these technologies to work, the infrastructure has to be in place, meaning the UK must invest heavily in digital technology and infrastructure if it wants to build a stronger, greener, resilient and more inclusive post-Coronavirus economy.
Exemplifying the UK’s pledge to deliver 100% full-fibre broadband by 2025, Trower added: “Achieving this will allow truly equitable access to high-speed, resilient networks no matter where you live, ending the hardship of areas stifled by an absence of infrastructure.
“It will transform private but also the public sector, including education in schools and social housing. Our whole society will be structured in a way that is greener and more efficient, delivered by a more skilled workforce.”
There will be more on this story in this week's edition of the Digital Digest and the next issue of Capacity magazine
