Lords criticise UK ecommerce strategies

NEWS A House of Lords select committee has criticised UK and EU plans for the internet and called for action to improve trust in ecommerce and to make sure all citizens have access to new technology. In a report published today, the Lords claimed that if the UK wants to be the best place for ecommerce, then the country needs to unbundle the local loop by the end of the year. The report also called for an appointed e-ombudsman to deal with ecommerce complaints on a national and EU level and increased venture capital for start-ups. There was also support for the EU's move to create an alternative dispute resolution system for consumers buying online. The full report is available at http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld/ldeucom.htm .