David Cameron wants to outflank Labour on new technology and make the UK the "creative industries capital of the world" if the Conservatives win the next General Election.
Tory HQ believes that the recent report on Digital Britain from Communications Minister Lord Carter lacked proper detail and ambition.
It wants to take full advantage of Britain's digital skills but stresses that improvements to the communications infrastructure will be needed to provide high-speed broadband to millions of UK homes.
An incoming Conservative government would force BT to open up its underground telecoms ducts to other operators so that most households can access high-speed broadband within five years. The Carter report said only that the current UK Government would "work with operators to remove barriers to development of wholesale market in access to ducts".
Tory sources believe the creative industries are in a similar position to the financial industry before the "Big Bang" City deregulation of the mid-1980s. Indeed, the Opposition wants the creative industries to help make up for a smaller financial sector once the recession is over.
One Tory source said: "Just as London beat off the competition to become the leading financial centre, we believe Britain can become the creative industries' capital of the world."
One challenge is how to make online sites profitable. Shadow culture secretary Jeremy Hunt said: "TV, radio and print advertising are having a tough time because of the recession. They need a market that embraces new approaches such as embedded internet advertising."
The review of the creative industries, announced by Mr Cameron in January, will be launched next month and will form the basis of the Tories' election manifesto.
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