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Ofcom launches next-generation broadband plan
Tuesday 23rd September 2008, by Daniel King
Ofcom has announced its new action plan to encourage increased investment in developing next-generation broadband in the UK.
Once the service is in place, subscribers will be able to achieve speeds of up to 100Mbps compared with the 24Mbps, which is considered fast at the moment.
The body's plan is to help the growth of the service by removing some of the investment barriers that currently exist.
It hopes to do this and avoid impeding the current market competition and prevent a reduction in consumer choice, a target which ISP Review said is "a nice idea in principal but difficult to get right".
Ofcom has set out proposals for consultation in five main areas. It hopes to develop clear standards for wholesale products and to allow pricing freedom where there is effective competition.
In addition, it wants to understand the scope for competition based on access to existing telecoms infrastructure and aid the smooth move from copper wiring to fibre optic cables.
Finally, Ofcom wants to work out ways to collaborate with other interested parties such as the UK Government and the European Commission.
An area which is thought to be particularly problematic is that of new-build homes, for while the installation of fibre optic cables would potentially enable much faster broadband speeds, it would also severely limit consumer choice.
A recent report suggested that the national installation of next-generation broadband could cost between £5 billion and £28 billion.
The government's involvement remains unlikely as a recent study into the subject concluded that the state should not help fund next-generation broadband.
Categories: Broadband, Broadband Products
