Overcoming the UK’s Digital Divide: Connected Britain Panel Preview
Each year, Connected Britain – the largest digital economy event in the UK – brings thousands of industry experts, policymakers, businesses leaders, and other stakeholders together to continue driving innovation in the digital landscape. Taking place 11-12 September, the conference will cover a wide array of topics from network deployment and customer technology to sustainability and beyond.
As a leading consulting firm in the communications and digital media sector, Cartesian will be moderating four panels during the two-day event. The first panel will dive into ways to overcome the digital divide in the UK.
Below we will provide you with a preview of what to expect from the panel. Plus, whether you’re attending the conference or are just interested in learning more about closing the UK’s digital divide, continue reading to see how Cartesian can help your organisation along the way.
Topic: Overcoming the UK’s digital divide
Moderator: Simon Evans, Principal, Cartesian
Date: 11 September at 10:40
Participants:
- Ilan Tevet, VP Marketing & Business Development, Ethernity Networks
- Robert Franks, Board Member, UKTIN & Managing Director, WM5G
- Emma Stone, Director of Evidence and Engagement, Good Things Foundation
- Stefan Hartung, Director – Global Sales Engineering, Tarana Wireless
- Robin Christopherson MBE, Head of Digital Inclusion, Abilitynet
Panel Key Questions:
- What progress has been made in the past 12 months in overcoming the digital divide in the UK?
- What key barriers remain to improving levels of digital inclusion?
- What role can different stakeholders play in addressing digital exclusion?
What Is the Digital Divide?
For those looking for more information on the digital divide right now, here’s a brief overview to prepare for the upcoming panel.
The digital divide refers to the gap between individuals, households, businesses, and communities in their access to and use/knowledge of information and technology. The digital divide often exacerbates existing social and economic inequalities where those without digital access or skills may be at a disadvantage in several facets of life.
This dilemma is not new, but has continued to become a larger concern as access to connectivity becomes more integral to everyday life and the cost of living continues to increase, making it more difficult to afford. Today, the UK’s cost of living crisis has led more than 12 million people to look for less expensive internet and mobile deals due to rising costs.
Critically, digital inclusion goes beyond access to affordable connectivity, and while programs such as BDUK’s Project Gigabit aim to improve the digital landscape, there is more that can be done. The panel will also explore the importance of improving digital literacy and skills, the challenges faced by different communities accessing digital content/technology, and how government policy must improve to facilitate wider digital inclusion.
Want more insights into closing the digital divide? Secure your spot at Connected Britain, the UK’s largest digital economy conference, and make sure to sign up for the “Closing the UK’s Digital Divide” panel moderated by Cartesian Principal Simon Evans.
How Cartesian Can Help Your Business Improve Levels of Digital Inclusion
With over 30 years of telecom-specific experience, Cartesian has worked across the industry to help organisations build and implement new strategies to help close the digital divide.
From fiber deployment approaches to cost-saving process optimizations, Cartesian is ready to help clients transform the products, services, and policies that shape the industry today and for years to come.
