The UK agency overseeing their project to provide broadband access to 90% of homes by 2015 recently reported that the project is behind schedule, and is unlikely to meet that time goal.
Under the Broadband Delivery UK program, incumbent telco BT will spend some 2.5 billion pounds to expand broadband access in commercially viable areas, while the British Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) was allocated 530 million pounds to subsidize broadband infrastructure in more rural areas. Despite a target of completing procurement deals by the end of this year, the DCMS has acknowledge that about two-thirds of local authorities covered by the policy have yet to start the procurement process. Legal challenges to the procurement process have delayed implementation; in addition, the costs involved in having to submit separate bids for each contract (rather than allowing bidders to combine coverage areas under a single bid), have led many potential bidders to drop out and leaving BT as the default contractor in many cases.
As a result, expansion in rural areas has already fallen seriously behind schedule, with indications that many in those areas will end up having broadband access with speeds less than a tenth that of urban customers.
Source - UK to miss 2015 target for high-speed broadband, telecoms.com
Showing posts with label Universal Service. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Universal Service. Show all posts
Friday, August 10, 2012
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
Broadband news
Two quick reports coming out that are signs of the continued expansion of broadband in the U.S.
First, the FCC reports that its latest findings are that service providers are largely delivering on advertised top broadband speeds (an earlier report suggested that many providers were failing to match claimed data rates). Specifically, the FCC looked at sustained download speeds during peak demand, and found they ranged from an average of 82% to 114% of advertised speeds. Sustained upload speeds during peak periods averaged between 95% and 112% of advertised speeds. Speeds are generally lowest during peak demand, so this suggests that broadband network upgrades and expansions have been helpful.
Also, there are reports that an agreement has been reached between large broadband carriers and several associations of smaller rural carriers regarding a broadband Universal Service Fund (USF). USFs are a mechanism that helps subsidize construction and operation of telecomm networks in high-cost areas so that services can be offered at reasonably competitive rates. Three rural carrier associations, six large carriers, and the U.S. Telecom Association sent the FCC a letter outlining a plan to transition the existing basic telephone USF to one that focuses on broadband services. If, or when, the FCC agrees, current and future funds accruing in the USF can be directed to expanding broadband services in high cost areas more rapidly.
While neither report is earth-shattering news, combined they provide support for continued expansion of broadband services in the U.S..
Sources: "FCC: Broadband providers now largely delivering advertised broadband speeds", Connected Planet
"Rural carrier associations confirm agreement with large carriers on broadband USF funding", Connected Planet
First, the FCC reports that its latest findings are that service providers are largely delivering on advertised top broadband speeds (an earlier report suggested that many providers were failing to match claimed data rates). Specifically, the FCC looked at sustained download speeds during peak demand, and found they ranged from an average of 82% to 114% of advertised speeds. Sustained upload speeds during peak periods averaged between 95% and 112% of advertised speeds. Speeds are generally lowest during peak demand, so this suggests that broadband network upgrades and expansions have been helpful.
Also, there are reports that an agreement has been reached between large broadband carriers and several associations of smaller rural carriers regarding a broadband Universal Service Fund (USF). USFs are a mechanism that helps subsidize construction and operation of telecomm networks in high-cost areas so that services can be offered at reasonably competitive rates. Three rural carrier associations, six large carriers, and the U.S. Telecom Association sent the FCC a letter outlining a plan to transition the existing basic telephone USF to one that focuses on broadband services. If, or when, the FCC agrees, current and future funds accruing in the USF can be directed to expanding broadband services in high cost areas more rapidly.
While neither report is earth-shattering news, combined they provide support for continued expansion of broadband services in the U.S..
Sources: "FCC: Broadband providers now largely delivering advertised broadband speeds", Connected Planet
"Rural carrier associations confirm agreement with large carriers on broadband USF funding", Connected Planet
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
FCC addressing Universal Service & Interconnection Fees
First, for those of you who aren't up on the jargon, Universal Service refers to the idea that telephone companies should try to provide a certain basic level of telephone service to all customers. Historically, the level of service was defined as basic voice service. Since the 1980s, there have been a number of calls to raise the minimum level of Universal Service to include some degree of computer/Internet access.
The FCC's finally taken the first step in significantly increasing the level of Universal Service, with a unanimous vote to issue a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM for jargon fans) - the first formal step in changing regulations. The proposal includes redefining minimal Universal Service as broadband data connection, with the idea that voice service can be carried over that connection. The goal is a phased transition from a voice-based Universal Service to a broadband-based Universal Service.
Another part of the NPRM is a proposal to phase out the mandatory per-minute interconnection charges that accrue when a call involves multiple telephone companies. That's good, because those fees (and the fact that costs drop faster than the fees are reset), are a stumbling block for cellphone pricing plans.
Story on Connected Planet
FCC News Release
The FCC's finally taken the first step in significantly increasing the level of Universal Service, with a unanimous vote to issue a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM for jargon fans) - the first formal step in changing regulations. The proposal includes redefining minimal Universal Service as broadband data connection, with the idea that voice service can be carried over that connection. The goal is a phased transition from a voice-based Universal Service to a broadband-based Universal Service.
Another part of the NPRM is a proposal to phase out the mandatory per-minute interconnection charges that accrue when a call involves multiple telephone companies. That's good, because those fees (and the fact that costs drop faster than the fees are reset), are a stumbling block for cellphone pricing plans.
Story on Connected Planet
FCC News Release
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