ADSL Broadband
Best Broadband
Cable Broadband
Free Broadband
Fastest Broadband
20Mb Broadband
50Mb Broadband
Fibre-Optic Broadband
Ofcom: Broadband improvements need to move at consumer's pace
Monday 30th November 2009, by Daniel King
The introduction of next-generation broadband services in the UK will be dependent on a consumer need for faster download speeds and greater coverage, it has been suggested.
A spokesman for Ofcom, the corporate body which monitors the British telecommunications industry on behalf of the government, said that the implementation of various technologies could have a significant impact on the nation as a whole.
Stuart McIntosh, partner at the organisation's competition division, told visitors to the Westminster eForum keynote seminar - the Future of Broadband in the UK - faster and more reliable web access is "potentially a world changing issue" that holds a great deal of promise for individuals and businesses.
However, he added it was important to move ahead at a pace that not only suits the consumer but also has the frameworks in place to make sure it is done fairly and properly.
"Our approach is to recognise that regulation and the competition models of next-generation broadband may well differ from first-generation, partly reflecting the uncertainties at this stage in the markets evolution and also the differences in technology, economic and commercial models," Mr McIntosh added.
His comments follow the publication of data by the Office for National Statistics in August that showed 18.3 million UK households - which equates to 70 per cent of the nation - had internet access in 2009.
The highest level of connectivity was London (80 per cent), while the lowest was revealed to be Scotland (62 per cent).
Categories: Broadband, Wireless Broadband
