UK well placed to build on London 2012's impetus for innovation

19 March 2009

“We’re developing some of the world’s most interesting and exciting mobile technologies”

London 2012 will be a defining moment for the UK at the beginning of the 21st Century. It’s an unprecedented opportunity to show the world we’re a forward-looking, innovative country.

No industry demonstrates this creativity and dynamism better than the broadcast and media communications sector. We want to harness that expertise and the power of technology to give spectators at the Games a richer experience whether at the event, at home or on the move.

We saw the beginnings of a trend with Beijing being the first interactive Olympics. It gave us a taste of what’s possible, but perhaps more importantly showed there’s an appetite among consumers for cutting-edge interactive coverage. The possibilities don’t end with coverage of the events themselves, though. One British firm is already developing m-commerce and m-ticketing systems that work without users having to pre-register or upgrade equipment.

My trip to Mobile World Congress in Barcelona last month highlighted to me just what a strong presence Britain has in this field. We’re developing some of the world’s most interesting and exciting mobile technologies, devices and applications, and we have the skills, passion and creativity needed to deliver the best communications environment for major events like the Olympics and Paralympics. As a government we’re committed to preserving and growing this culture of innovation. Seizing these opportunities will help drive the industry forward, maintaining its impressive momentum and protecting it from the full effects of the economic downturn.

The sophisticated and technologically advanced UK consumers have historically helped to drive trends globally. As mobile phone sales have slowed, the propensity of the UK consumer to buy rich-media content has maintained. Research by Motorola into technology consumption habits suggests media mobility is becoming increasingly important — 61% of the 1,200 questioned would be interested in a three-minute version of their favourite shows on their mobiles.

While it’s important to be proud of the position the UK holds, it’s not just about striving to beat the rest. Much is to be gained from looking for opportunities to collaborate with international partners. I believe the mobile content industry is poised at a similar position to the internet in 1999, with faster networks and improved devices creating fresh opportunities with greater scope to drive the industry forward. We need to grasp these opportunities and continue to look for new ones if we want to maintain the UK’s place as a world leader for 2012 and beyond.

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