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More industry feedback on the Digital Britain report

Thursday 18 June 2009 1 Comment

The responses to yesterday's publication of the Digital Britain report keep flooding in with industry figures stepping up onto their soap boxes to have their say on the matter. Most seem to share their disappointment with Lord Carter's wishy washy approach and with so many thoughtful and practical comments from those in the know, we can't help but wonder why more industry officials weren't called on to help draft the report together.

Speaking on the pledge to provide every Briton with a broadband connection of at least 2Mb, Mark Jackson, editor of ISPreview commented: “Committing to the delivery of a 2Mb universal broadband speed for everybody in the UK is a bold move, albeit one that suffers from many catastrophically dangerous oversights. There appears to have been a complete and utter failure to consider the other essential aspects, not least the critical importance of ensuring good upload speeds, respectable data usage allowances and perhaps most vital of all – service affordability.”

For the folks at AboveNet the Digital Britain report failed to address the need to improve network connectivity for businesses, spending too much time focussing on homes and rural areas. For them, emphasis should have been placed on improving services for London and the metropolitan cities. John Donaldson, MD of AboveNet suggested there should be more focus on setting up a fibre optic infrastructure, making it mandatory for new builds and refurbishments to be connected with fibre-to-the-home (FTTH).

Donaldson explained: “There has to be greater focus placed on the country's internal connectivity in order for businesses to thrive in these difficult times... it is encouraging to see the Government welcoming competitive investment in next generation networks. However, the Government contradicts itself, claiming to encourage fibre optic rollout, but at the same time taxing every metre of fibre optic that is lit. The counterproductive tax is in conflict with the development of essential next generation networks.”

Of course, the likelihood of getting a detailed and constructive response from Lord Carter now he's clearing is desk and toddling off to a new job is unlikely.

 

 

Comments

  • neutral

    by cyberdoyle at 20:48 on 18 Jun 2009 | registered | 3 postsReport abuse

    The only answer to deliver what Gordon thinks is going to be delivered is by fibre. We all know that. But 90% of the land mass holds 40% of the people. that means the other 60% will be assured of decent connections in cities and larger towns. The populated areas will get fibre to the home, cos it is economic and cheap to provide it. The rural 90% of the uk won't unless the tax is lifted, because fibre is taxed by the metre. A simple measure like lifting the tax will make it viable, and will make the Uk a world leader. (as Gordon wants). If we don't do this then we will become importers of content, because nobody will want to use our work if they have to wait for it to be delivered, and that is what will happen if we stay with the legacy copper.

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