Establishing a flexible and world-class digital infrastructure to meet the needs of the community and the economy is critical to the digital strategy.
The Digital Framework
- The Digital Framework published in 2017 identified the role that government can play in directly supporting the digital and wider economy through digital innovation and capability. The economic objective of the digital framework is to develop digitally enabled industry, data and innovation. This is an area which fulfils all the requirements of a high value economy; that benefits from our flexible and responsive regulation and legislative environment; and that builds on our brand values around trust and security.
- Implementation of the Framework is done through the Digital Guernsey group. This group coordinates activity across a number of States Committees including the Committee for Economic Development, the Committee for Education, Sport and Culture, Policy & Resources and the Committee for Home Affairs. Considerable progress has been made in relation to digital skills, supporting economic diversification and looking at how government can support opportunities through appropriate legislation and regulation, including data protection and cyber security.
- A significant achievement of the Digital Framework has been the work carried out to develop digital skills in the Island. This includes changing the Bailiwick Curriculum to include digital skills, signposting and promoting pathways to digital careers, and offering a successful internship scheme. This scheme has been developed in partnership with local businesses and has already achieved some notable successes for businesses which have been able to obtain locally qualified students.
- The Digital Greenhouse is a government funded facility dedicated to growing Guernsey's digital economy. In order to support the aims set out in the Digital Framework, the Digital Greenhouse has a high profile role in developing our digital offering. More information can be found on the Digital Greenhouse here.
The Cyber Strategy
- Guernsey offers international business a safe haven for data and this has been strengthened by the work led by the Committee for Home Affairs on data and cyber-security. The Cyber Strategy published in December 2017 will enhance our cyber protection and resilience through a range of measures including strengthening our relationship with Jersey and with the UK's National Cyber Security Centre. The new Data Protection (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Law, 2017 was developed in conjunction with business groups and the appointment of a world renowned Chair of Commissioners and Regulator confirms Guernsey as a world leading jurisdiction for data protection. For more information on the security and cyber-security, please click here.
The Future of Telecoms
- The telecommunications sector strategy was published in mid-2018 after consultation with industry and stakeholders. The Future of Telecoms strategy, available by clicking here, is a central component of the Economic Development Strategy. It lays out how the existing competitive market, regulation and targeted government support can ensure the island remains one of the most digitally connected communities in the world - and continue to develop a strong and innovative digital economy.
- The three critical objectives of the strategy are:
- Providing fibre to business districts;
- Aiming to provide up to 100 Megabits per second to homes; and
- Providing next generation mobile technology, 5G.
- A further Policy Letter on the implementation of that strategy will be submitted to the States in 2019.
