Right to reply: 100MB broadband- but at what cost?
- Added:
- Mar 16, 2010
Last week, The Conservatives confirmed their plans to give the UK the fastest broadband network in Europe with speeds up to 100MB. In this Right to Reply article, Mike Wilson, broadband manager at moneysupermarket.com looks at the implications of such a scheme, and just how such a project can be funded.
Billed as the most 'ambitious technology agenda' ever proposed by a British political party, this would be huge step in the right direction for UK broadband, if followed through. Virgin Media recently announced plans to roll out a 100MB service to its customers by the end of the year and it is great to see the potential new government would increase access to next generation networks.
The way we use the internet has changed rapidly, but broadband infrastructure in the UK has failed to keep up. As more and more services move online, the internet has become many people's first port of call for shopping, music, films and TV as well as government services, meaning the demand for higher speeds is huge.
It will be interesting to see how this proposal is funded. The manifesto suggests the bulk of investment will come from the private sector and possibly making a proportion of the licence fee available, starting in 2012, but asking consumers to make up any shortfall through a broadband tax - similar to Labour's 50p broadband tax announced in the last budget – would no doubt be unwelcome.
It is also imperative the roll-out of 100MB doesn't deepen the digital divide with only urban areas able to get superfast speeds. The government and Ofcom will need to ensure providers offer competitive packages, high speeds won't be as attractive if they're accompanied by a high price.
By Mike Wilson
Broadband Manager
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