UK Broadband Policy Questioned

A report from the House of Lords Select Committee on Communications states that the UK government is taking the wrong approach to delivering broadband access across the country.  It argues that the current approach focuses more on increasing broadband speeds than on ensuring nationwide coverage.

“The delivery of certain speeds should not be the guiding principle; what is important is the long term assurance that as new internet applications emerge, everyone will be able to benefit, from inhabitants of inner cities to the remotest areas of the UK,” said the report.

The report worries making coverage secondary in current policy may contribute to the creation of a geographic digital divide.  The report suggests that broadband access should be considered as a strategic national asset, similar to providing electricity.

Rob Gallagher, head of Broadband & TV Research at Informa Telecoms & Media echoed the report’s conclusions stating that, “ensuring equality of access seems a much more laudable goal than competing in meaningless global contest based on Mbps alone."

The report also offered a recommendation that is sure to be more controversial - that all current TV broadcasting be shifted to the Internet.  Such a move could free up bandwidth that could then be used for mobile broadband services.

Sources -  UK government’s broadband strategy attacked by Lords’ report,  telecoms.com
Broadband for all - an alternative vision,  Communications Committee First Report