The Department of Trade and Industry has appointed a new e-commerce minister to drive the government's efforts to equip UK homes with broadband connections following the promotion of Douglas Alexander to the cabinet office in Tony Blair's government, writes David Wood
The Department of Trade and Industry has appointed a new e-commerce minister to drive the government's efforts to equip UK homes with broadband connections following the promotion of Douglas Alexander to the cabinet office in Tony Blair's government, writes David Wood

Stephen Timms, previously schools minister, takes up the DTI post this week. Timms worked in the computing and telecommunications industry for 15 years before being elected as MP for Newham North East in 1994. Currently MP for East Ham, Timms is also a member of Parliament's Information Technology Committee.

He will find his Scottish predecessor a tough act to follow. Alexander, who was singled out as high-flyer early on in his political career, has subjected BT to a barrage of criticism at the DTI as the government tried to pile the pressure on the telco to roll out broadband networks. Last year Alexander accused BT of failing to follow the example of the cable industry which he said had set 'fair prices aimed at bringing broadband to the mass market'.

His efforts have seen some success - last month Oftel announced that UK broadband subscriptions had topped 500,000 for the first time.

Alexander also unveiled the DTI's long awaited review of broadcast spectrum the Cave Report, which detailed 47 different recommendations which could encourage broadcasters to make better use of their allocated spectrum.

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