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Broadband investment 'should not come from consumers'
Friday 19th June 2009, by Daniel King
More investment is needed to secure the future of high-speed broadband services in the UK - but this should not come at the expense of the consumer, one expert has argued.
In response to the news that the government is considering a 50 pence per person charge across the country to ensure internet access using the most up-to-date cabling is available to all, a spokesman for broadband.co.uk said this may be the wrong approach.
Edd Dawson, managing director of the site - which provides advice and support to the general public on web services - agreed that getting the right technology in place was essential for better speeds and coverage, but explained a levy on fixed phone lines would not be enough to do this.
He said with the cost of the proposed cabling upgrades and expansion estimated to be around the £150 million per year mark, the scheme would struggle, adding a realistic "generational difference" that would help people in rural areas get online was more likely to cost "billions".
Mr Dawson went on to reiterate that although he was in support of government plans to get more coverage and faster connections, the "pittance" such an initiative would raise meant there was call for a rethink.
"It really has to be a direct investment," he concluded. "It doesn't necessarily have to be taken directly from consumers. It is an infrastructure investment for the whole of the country."
Details of a 50 pence monthly levy for those using fixed copper lines was detailed in the recently published Digital Britain Report.
Categories: Broadband, Broadband Products
