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Broadband industry 'must work together to drive growth'
Wednesday 25th February 2009, by Daniel King
UK broadband providers must work together with the government and industry regulators to help move Britain into the digital age, it has been claimed.
Communications minister Lord Carter recently called for O2 and Vodafone to give up part of the 900MHz mobile broadband spectrum to rival providers such as Orange and T-Mobile.
This would help the UK to deliver broadband services to all regions via a combination of fixed-line, wireless and mobile networks, but the companies remain locked in negotiations.
Chief executive of O2 Ronan Dunne admitted it could be difficult to strike an agreement, but insisted that moving towards universal broadband "makes sense".
Speaking to the Independent, Mr Dunne said it was important that the industry and its regulators settle their differences in order to ensure that the UK does not fall behind in the digital age.
"We want the UK to be a leader and UK plc to benefit," he commented.
"Things like government and regulatory certainty are really important. If we sit on our hands and don't invest, there is a danger that Europe gets behind the investment curve."
Mr Dunne added that the deployment of next-generation communications technology would provide a huge boost for the European economy, with the potential to create more than two million jobs.
His comments mirror the views of GSM Association chairman Alexander Izosimov, who claimed last week that the rollout of mobile broadband networks could play a major role in helping to stimulate growth and increase business across Europe.
