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Private sector contributions 'key to next-generation networks'
Unlike the concrete facts concerning internet usage which emerged out of the recent independent review held by the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform - including that 70 per cent of the UK's population are now online and more than half of all households have broadband installed - no single solution for implementing next-generation broadband services has yet to be put forward.
Significantly, the Broadband Stakeholder Group (BSG), which provides a neutral forum for telecoms operators, ISPs, broadcasters and other interested parties, has explained that this stage of the review process is not about the government "writing out big cheques" for the installation of the necessary fibre networks, but instead the focus should be on the various groups within the industry pulling together.
What is generally agreed on is that the UK cannot afford to get left behind when it comes to the next generation of broadband services.
Kip Meek, the chairman of the BSG noted: "I do think that in due course it would be bad for Britain if we were behind our competitors on provision of high-speed broadband," and, as such the recent review into the matter is "a very timely piece of work"
In contrast to some industry experts, Mr Meek believes that the way forward lies not with strong government intervention and funding, but with greater collaboration between private enterprises.
With the economic need to keep on top of advancing broadband technology a given, "the second key question is whether or not the government should spend substantial amounts of money to make it happen,"he explained.
"My own view at the moment, is that this is not going to be the case, and that we will find ways of creating the right investment environment, for the private sector [to contribute]."
This would mean that introducing high speed networks across the UK should not just be left to the public sector and the ISPs but content providers and the large infrastructure groups, most notably BT, would also be required to contribute.
Despite this recent initiative, some observers maintain that the UK is "dithering"; behind other countries and will invariably get left further behind over the next few years.
Notably, comparisons have been drawn to Japan, which is set to roll-out next generation networks by 2010, despite having started from essentially the same point as the UK just a few years ago.
Such successful implementation has been achieved with minimal government intervention and spending, according to ZDNet, largely through the promotion of cooperation between private sector parties the unbundling of the national network provider's cables.
As the website concluded: "Those who follow can learn from the mistakes of others, but following from too great a distance can be dangerous."
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