Next-gen broadband to shut divide

People who have missed out on the broadband revolution should be given the chance to leapfrog straight to next-generation networks, the Ofcom Consumer Panel has said.

The panel, which acts only as an advisory body to industry watchdog Ofcom, wants to see the 'digital divide' in the UK closed by offering people who don't have web access at home super-fast connections of up to 100Mbps.

Anna Bradley, Ofcom's Consumer Panel chairwoman, said: "The UK is making some critical decisions about the delivery of next-generation broadband in the UK.

"Consumers and citizens stand to gain a great deal, but the decisions need to be informed by a proper sense of the value next-generation networks can deliver, not just to companies and consumers, but to the economy and society as a whole," Bradley continued.

The UK's communications infrastructure is largely owned by BT, which has announced its intention to deploy a fibre-optic network in the UK. Currently, much of BT's network is limited to a maximum speed of 8Mbps.

BT said that it would make sure it entered into consultations with local government to ensure the next-generation network benefited those who needed it most and not just areas with a high population density.

Recent figures released by the Office of National Statistics (ONS) suggest that there are still a significant number of people in the UK that don't have home internet access but would like it.

www.ofcomconsumerpanel.org.uk
www.statistics.gov.uk
www.bt.com