About Nordicity

Nordicity is a leading international consulting firm specializing in economic and financial analysis; business strategy solutions; and, public policy and regulatory affairs. Our clients are public and private organizations in the global creative and communications industries. Nordicity’s combination of extensive experience, functional expertise and international presence enables us to understand our client needs, apply innovative analysis and provide clear effective recommendations.

Nordicity was founded in Ottawa, Canada in 1979. We now have offices in London, United Kingdom; Toronto, Canada; and Ottawa; and clients across North America, the United Kingdom, Africa, and Asia.

Nordicity celebrates 30 years of providing solutions to creative and communications industries around the world.

Credits

Principal Author: Peter Lyman, Senior Partner

Contributing Author: Kristian Roberts, Consultant

Editorial Support: Stuart Jack, Partner; Kurt Eby, Senior Consultant; Akhaji Zakiya, Senior Consultant

Contributing Researchers: Matthew Mahoney, Analyst, Jessica Thorp, Associate Analyst

Dedication

This discussion paper is dedicated to two former Nordicity consultants who are no longer with us – Tom Grandy, a former Partner who championed the development of CANARIE and SchoolNet and many other ICT infrastructure projects; and Elan Gillespie, a former Senior Consultant, who helped develop many new creative and business applications of digital infrastructure, including Aboriginal Peoples Network, interactive television, and satellite communications services for Northern communities.

Table of Contents

1.	Preamble
1.1	Origin, Purpose and Outline of the Issues Discussion Paper
1.2	Rationale for a National Digital Strategy
2.	Digital Literacy and Skills Issues
2.1	Digital Literacy and Creativity
2.2	Investment in Human Capital
2.3	Citizen Engagement with Government
2.4	Societal Issues in a National Digital Strategy
3.	Cultural Industries Issues
3.1	The Challenges and Opportunities of New Digital Platforms
3.2	Lack of Capital to Exploit (IP)
3.3	Role of Private and Public Broadcasting
	Role of private broadcasting
	Role and Funding of the CBC/Radio Canada
3.4	Modernization of Copyright Legislation
3.5	Cultural Industries’ Issues for a National Digital Strategy
4.	Infrastructure Development & Technology Issues
4.1	Access to Broadband Services
	Net neutrality
4.2	Access to Digital Television Services
	Introduction of digital radio services
4.3	Innovation in Digital Media – Technology, Services and Content
	Infrastructure innovation
	High speed mobile wireless innovation
	Incentives for technological innovation
	Service and content business model innovation
4.4	Sources of Financing for Infrastructure and Content
	Proceeds of spectrum auctions as sources of financing
	Direct funding of infrastructure initiatives
	Funding through ISP levy
4.5	Infrastructure Issues for a National Digital Strategy
5.	International Comparisons of National Digital Strategies
5.1	Digital Britain: Raising the Bar for Canada
5.2	Other National Approaches to Digital Strategies
6.	Setting the Agenda in Canada
6.1	A Preliminary Agenda
6.2	How to Move Forward to Create a Digital Strategy
6.3	Concluding Remarks