UK needs industrial policy for a digital age

[Commentary] The British government will on Tuesday attempt to rebut this with the publication of Digital Britain, a policy framework for the communications and technology and media sector that represents a shift towards "industrial activism." Good industrial activism has to reflect the reality of where the UK can exercise economic leadership, carving a path for others to follow, rather than gamely trying to sustain industries past their sell-by date. As our iconic media and communications companies show, the UK retains enormous power in the digital content industry, a market with strong prospects. Any country relying today on Internet access speeds of 14.4 Kb/s would be left in the slow lane. The UK government knows there is more change to come. That is why Digital Britain focuses on policies to ensure we are prepared for next-generation changes in fixed and mobile networks. (Lord Carter is the UK's communications minister.)