Funding for next generation networks under debate
The recent report from the consumer watchdog Which? served to highlight what is perhaps the most contentious issue surrounding the adoption of next generation networks across the UK, namely the broadband speeds available here.
According to the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development, the highest broadband speed currently being advertised is just 24 mbps in comparison to countries such as Japan, Korean and even France, where top-access speeds in excess of 20 mbps are offered as standard to both businesses and domestic customers.
However, the magazine found that, in reality, such levels are largely undeliverable, due principally to the telephony infrastructure in place.
At present, the UK's broadband network is based largely upon ADSL technology, with copper wires designed purely for traditional telephone calls and unable to deal with high-speed internet connections, particularly at any significant distance from an exchange.
Not only will such antiquated technology mean that Britons may miss out on the new wave of sites such as YouTube, which could feasibly require connection speeds of 40 mbps or above, but, more importantly, the economy could be sorely hit as the UK is left behind in the race for next generation networks.
Speaking at a recent meeting with UK broadband operators, the government minister for competitiveness, Stephen Timms stated: "If we delay in putting this new network into place it could be a barrier to the future success of our economy."
Such a situation, and even its possible implications, is no longer open to debate, though the issue of how to fund the widespread implementation of the fibre optic cables widely seen as the best solution to the shortcomings remains a matter of some contention.
Given that BT is currently responsible for maintaining the copper wire network used for delivering most of the UK's broadband connections, some industry insiders have claimed that it should foot at least some of the bill, which has been estimated to be as much as £15 billion.
However, there simply isn't the demand to justify such expenditure and inconvenience, BT has argued, with its director of equivalence, Peter McCarthy-Ward, recently telling the BBC that, while he would be "delighted if a commercial incentive emerged that enabled us to fibre the nation
.we are not facing large numbers of people today who are constrained by their bandwidth".
Indeed, it points to the 24 mbps broadband to be rolled out as part of its '21st Century Network' as being sufficient to meet the country's demands for the foreseeable future.
Perhaps more valid is the argument for the government to fully fund the move to next generation networks, with the head of the Carphone Warehouse Andrew Heaney arguing that the government has spent £16 billion on the CrossRail project, which will mainly benefit just London, while a £15 billion investment in broadband will benefit the whole of the UK, including the more remote parts of the country.
Interestingly, Virgin already has fibre optic cables in place, though critics have pointed out that they are yet to be inundated with strong demand from consumers or businesses as many remain unimpressed by what is already on offer.
"Perhaps it isn't the wisest idea to move on to the next bright shiny new project without fixing this-generation issues," Simon Gunter, head of strategy at Tiscali told the BBC.
About Us