APPENDIX 7
Memorandum submitted by Mr V G Shenoi
(S14)
Broad-band access—I am not sure if this
is a crushing issue for business or for politicians. Businesses
will use existing means of communications or shout out for what
they want from existing service providers—often it is not
the speed of communications that is the determining factor but
the ability to process information and make decisions. Particularly
for small businesses, setting up fast web-access or e-business
portals in themselves do not assure profitability. Some of this
is hype. Similarly the e-governance, etc, it is not clear whether
the general public are clamouring for all this. Most do not understand
and usually webs, call centres, etc are being created as a further
barrier to direct communications and taking of responsibility
by those supposed to be in charge when things go wrong. Note the
recent criticism/cost escalation of the legal services network
and all the hassle previously with the NHS, passport office, social
security and other government IT projects. Often technology is
being promoted by people who only know the technology but have
little understanding of the way it is to be managed and used and
also do not have any idea of what it will eventually achieve and
cost. One needs to just look at the IT component of the Local
Authority budget (nearly 10% in the FOD) and its relative value
compared with the tangible services provided to see that IT and
fast communications do not contribute much and are being touted
by contractors/consultants who stand to gain most from such projects.
It would be interesting to see the take up of
broad-band where this is already available.
V G Shenoi
4 February 2003
|
