Comments on: Ordnance Survey’s lobbying, part 2 http://www.freeourdata.org.uk/blog/2008/08/ordnance-surveys-lobbying-part-2/ A Guardian Technology campaign for free public access to non-personal data about the UK and its citizens Wed, 14 Jul 2010 17:15:46 +0100 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.5 hourly 1 By: Kristin Stone http://www.freeourdata.org.uk/blog/2008/08/ordnance-surveys-lobbying-part-2/comment-page-1/#comment-106373 Kristin Stone Wed, 26 Nov 2008 08:54:50 +0000 http://www.freeourdata.org.uk/blog/?p=232#comment-106373 I note with some interest the continued speculation related to the privatisation of the UK Hydrographic office and the related discussions of free data. For all intents and purposes the UKHO is already privatised and is currently using its historic paper chart monopoly to dominate the digital world - as an example it is currently selling its new vector service at less than cost to gain market share (supported by the UK tax payers - every vector chart sold costs ca. 3GBP in subsidies). This loss will of-course need to be recovered either through higher paper chart prices (I note the increase of 5-6% for 2008/9) and other basic data costs or through lower returns to the treasury (currently requires 9%).. Rumours are that the EU competition law has been broken and an investigation into the UKHO's monopoly has begun as part of the drive towards the EU Inspire Directive - so it will be interesting to watch the next few months and see. Kristin I note with some interest the continued speculation related to the privatisation of the UK Hydrographic office and the related discussions of free data. For all intents and purposes the UKHO is already privatised and is currently using its historic paper chart monopoly to dominate the digital world – as an example it is currently selling its new vector service at less than cost to gain market share (supported by the UK tax payers – every vector chart sold costs ca. 3GBP in subsidies).

This loss will of-course need to be recovered either through higher paper chart prices (I note the increase of 5-6% for 2008/9) and other basic data costs or through lower returns to the treasury (currently requires 9%)..

Rumours are that the EU competition law has been broken and an investigation into the UKHO’s monopoly has begun as part of the drive towards the EU Inspire Directive – so it will be interesting to watch the next few months and see.

Kristin

]]> By: John Drinkwater http://www.freeourdata.org.uk/blog/2008/08/ordnance-surveys-lobbying-part-2/comment-page-1/#comment-100225 John Drinkwater Sun, 14 Sep 2008 17:33:31 +0000 http://www.freeourdata.org.uk/blog/?p=232#comment-100225 What’s with their use of centimeters (sic)? Do they favour the use of American English or is it just a copy mistake? If they do, then why on Earth would they, they’re for Britain alone. What’s with their use of centimeters (sic)? Do they favour the use of American English or is it just a copy mistake? If they do, then why on Earth would they, they’re for Britain alone.

]]> By: simon http://www.freeourdata.org.uk/blog/2008/08/ordnance-surveys-lobbying-part-2/comment-page-1/#comment-98683 simon Thu, 28 Aug 2008 20:07:56 +0000 http://www.freeourdata.org.uk/blog/?p=232#comment-98683 It does seem a little odd that, while I'm up to date with the tax man I have to pay for maps. Even if they are the best maps in the world... It does seem a little odd that, while I’m up to date with the tax man I have to pay for maps. Even if they are the best maps in the world…

]]> By: Chris Osborne http://www.freeourdata.org.uk/blog/2008/08/ordnance-surveys-lobbying-part-2/comment-page-1/#comment-98670 Chris Osborne Thu, 28 Aug 2008 14:58:42 +0000 http://www.freeourdata.org.uk/blog/?p=232#comment-98670 What's this? The OS trying to justify its existence by throwing money around, instead of concentrating on providing a public service??? Well, I never. What’s this? The OS trying to justify its existence by throwing money around, instead of concentrating on providing a public service???

Well, I never.

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