This POSTnote describes edge computing, the use of computing resources in close proximity to the place where data are processed within a network, and some of the opportunities and challenges associated with its use. It supplements POSTnote 629.
Documents to download
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UK Broadband Infrastructure (432 KB, PDF)
The UK Government has identified broadband internet access as key for economic growth and the delivery of public services. It has made a number of commitments for expanding broadband infrastructure, which include targets to provide ‘superfast’ fixed-line broadband (with download speeds above 24 megabits per second) to 95% of the UK population by 2017, and to provide mobile broadband to 98% of premises by 2017. There is debate over how best to meet such targets and how this affects innovation, consumer choice and geographical variation in services. Approaches for enhancing the UK’s broadband networks include building new infrastructure, sharing existing infrastructure and operating networks more efficiently.
Documents to download
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UK Broadband Infrastructure (432 KB, PDF)
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A POSTnote on digital skills for life will discuss the digital skills required for everyday life and employment, why parts of the population may lack these skills and which groups are most affected. It will consider the impact of the skills shortage on individuals and the economy as well as strategies to improve the population’s digital skills. Provisional start date: January 2021.
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Evolving life sciences and agricultural research approaches may have a decreasing need to access physical resources in future, such as plant seeds or viral material. Information and genetic data may be all that is required for commercial exploitation of biological resources. This POSTnote summarises the challenge this creates for international discussions on the governance of genetic resources and the possible options for addressing these.
