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Expert: Do we really need high-speed broadband in the country now?
Friday 16th April 2010, by Daniel King
There's been some serious media coverage about the roll-out of superfast broadband recently, what with the government promising 90 per cent of the UK will have next-generation internet by 2017 and BT and Virgin Media striving to supply millions of homes with access to its respective fibre-based networks.
And that's because it's big news.
Delivering top-of-the-range broadband to the entire country is surely a worthwhile enterprise.
Isn't it?
Well, perhaps not, according to an expert.
Madeline Bennett, editor at technology news, reviews and analysis website V3.co.uk, reckons the state and internet service providers need to make sure they deliver high-speed broadband to cities first, as the priority should be given to allowing businesses and the economy to benefit, rather than "just consumers".
She says: "If you've got an unlimited supply of funds, then obviously you want the high-speed access across the entire country, but if you're talking about where should those funds go, it is more important to focus on making sure that across the urban areas, initially, there's very high-speed networks and focus investment there."
However, she does go on to add that this doesn't mean rural areas should be ignored completely - quite the opposite.
So long as it brings advantages to the UK economy.
"It is important to also find some funding in the long-term for rural access, but I'd say only if there's a genuine business case for it," she explains.
What do you think about Ms Bennett's remarks?
Do rural areas require next-generation broadband at the moment?
Or should urban areas be prioritised?
Categories: Broadband, BT, Virgin Media
