11 Nov 2008

Debate continues on super-fast broadband

Concerns over the funding of super-fast broadband in the UK have to be addressed, an expert has suggested.

According to Roger Darlington, a member of the Ofcom Consumer Panel, speaking at the Westminster eForum keynote seminar Next Generation Broadband, the industry must acknowledge the difficulties in predicting what consumers will want and what they will pay for the service.

Recent statistics published by Ofcom show that 58 per cent of homes have switched to broadband in less than eight years.

The introduction of faster internet speeds could prompt firms to invest in unified communications solutions and enhance the IT technology trend towards virtualisation and hosted systems.

Mr Darlington revealed that a number of local initiatives have been formed in the UK because of the "immense frustration" over the actions of key industry players on the introduction of super-fast broadband.

Noting that the private sector is likely to have to foot most of the bill for the introduction of high-speed broadband in the UK, he said: "Investors shouldn't put money into areas where there isn't a sensible business case, but we should acknowledge it is hard to prove and plan for exactly what consumers want and what they will pay."