Fourman calls for dedicated Scottish internet minister
An internet tsar and free computers in public parks where uptake is lowest have been called for by Professor Michael Fourman of Edinburgh Universities School of Informatics.
The proposals are aimed at shaping Scotland’s digital strategy by empowering a dedicated Internet Minister to promote long term goals for the sector in a similar vein to what is currently done for education and culture.
Calling for closer collaboration between government and internet providers to fund major infrastructure work Fourman believes technology companies should enjoy tax breaks for installing infrastructure such as cables and masts in remote areas. Fourman points out that current measures such as a £3.3m measure to extend affordable broadband access are not enough to stay ahead of our competitors.
Citing figures which show only 39% uptake of broadband in Glasgow, versus 70% in Edinburgh and Aberdeen, Fourman argues that national strategies are needed to combat local deprivation.
Fourman said: “We can’t force people to buy it, and we can’t afford to give it to them for free, but if we are going to make this a society where everyone has equal access to opportunities, somehow you have to give them access to the internet.”