Broadband review anticipated
- 00:01:37
- ITN
Broadband review anticipated
The long-awaited review of the UK's broadband services is expected to be unveiled by the Government. It is thought the findings will help decide whether firms should receive subsidies to lay higher speed cables for homes and businesses. Industry insiders have estimated the total cost of fitting the UK for the next generation of broadband will cost at least £5bn. The overhaul would mean that business and homes would enjoy top internet connection speeds of 100 megabits per second and beyond, far beyond the current average speed in the low tens of megabits. Telecommunications firms are proposing boosting speeds by replacing copper cables with fibre and using light to carry data. However, this all comes with a high price tag. According to the broadband stakeholders group, it is thought stringing wire cables to every home and business could amount to almost £30bn. The cheaper option would be connecting fibre to the street cabinets that link homes and businesses to telephone exchanges, but even this would cost about £5bn. But the big telecom firms in the UK seem intent on going ahead with paving the way for the next generation of broadband BT has already said it would invest £1.5bn to upgrade its network and put 40 per cent of UK homes within reach of next generation broadband by 2012. TheVirgin is also investing in its network to allow its subscribers faster internet speeds.
ITN | September 12, 2008
