A series of reforms aimed at creating simpler and easier access to geographical data were announced by Housing Minister Iain Wright today.
The Government has published a new strategy for the Ordnance Survey, the business responsible for the national mapping of Great Britain, which will improve ease of access to geographic data and services for both commercial and non-commercial use.
The strategy will balance the need to maintain the highest quality standards with the need to stimulate innovation in the geographical information market and make data more widely available.
The Ordnance Survey will continue to be self-funded and earn revenue by licensing its data, but it will make sure it is easier for customers and other businesses to access its data and services.
Iain Wright said:
"Good maps and location intelligence play an important role in all our lives from plotting pot holes in the road to how we act in a national emergency.
"We are committed to innovation in the geographical information market, increasing competition and to making geographical data and services more widely available.
"This new strategy will help the Ordnance Survey thrive in the wider geographical information market that is being transformed by advances in technology and act as a catalyst for innovative business growth and prosperity in the 21st century economy."
The strategy focuses on five key areas:
* Promoting innovation - with an enhanced free service to allow experimentation with digital information and a clear path from this service to greater commercialisation;
* Reforming Ordnance Survey's licensing framework - so that it is much simpler to use Ordnance Survey data and services in other applications;
* Reducing costs over time - to ensure that Ordnance Survey continues to offer value-for-money;
* Supporting the sharing of information across the public sector - to enable better public policy and services;
* Creating an innovative trading entity - to explore further commercial opportunities around Ordnance Survey data and services.
The enhanced OS OpenSpace, the digital mapping service that enables innovators to experiment and develop their ideas for free, will be launched on 12 May.
The government has set key milestones for delivery over the next year and the Shareholder Executive and Office of Public Sector Information, in consultation with Office Fair Trading, will be involved in regularly reviewing progress.
