Viewing Brexit through a digital lens

[Commentary] Overall, the United Kingdom ranks sixth among 28 European Union countries. In digital connectivity, it has 100 percent household coverage and 85 percent household take-up by of fixed broadband networks. Take-up of mobile broadband at 87 percent is significantly above the EU average as well. The UK also has a 90 percent rate of internet use in its population. There is a high proportion of digital literacy among the public at large—67 percent of the population now has sufficient digital skills to operate effectively online (better than all but five EU countries).

The English language also is advantageous, since UK citizens have a widespread market for producing and consuming some of the most attractive digital content in the world. But as the scorecard analysis shows, “the United Kingdom is lacking skilled [information and communications technology] professionals. Demand for skilled ICT professionals within the economy is rising rapidly, while the supply is not keeping pace…young people need to be attracted to ICT studies and jobs, which provide good career opportunities, are well paid and which are key skills for deriving the benefits of ICT for the economy and society.” Despite Brexit, the EU will forge ahead this year with concrete proposals to implement the DSMS. The UK will find itself in a weak bargaining position in any negotiations to substitute digital trade agreements for integrated EU membership. On balance, it will come to realize that the realities of digital interdependence make political independence a difficult aspiration to maintain.