By Tim Ferguson, 9 June 2008 16:13
NEWS
Widespread deployment of next-generation broadband - which is significantly faster than current fat pipes - is critical for the UK economy, according to government advisory body the Broadband Stakeholder Group (BSG).
The BSG has examined the potential value for commercial investors and consumers, as well the social and economic value.
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The research found the long term benefits of a high-speed broadband network would exceed the cost of deployment, which are currently estimated to be £16bn.
But the BSG warns next-generation deployment should be delayed so that uncertainties around how investors can realise the value can be resolved.
The BSG says commercial providers, government and regulators should work to create an environment conducive to broadband investment.
CEO of the BSG, Antony Walker said next generation broadband could "transform the way we do things as individuals, businesses and as a nation as a whole".
But he added it's more important to carry out the deployment correctly rather than immediately. The UK could learn from other countries about how to make the process commercially viable but should not wait longer than three to five years as the country could lose out.
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1. Alistair Thomas
IT in general, converged/unified comms in particular, Bio sciences, renewable energy...; All areas where Britain should be trying to lead the field not merely sit back and learn from the mistakes of others.
Waiting may seem the safe approach but it means that we have nothing to sell. We are allways importing the hard-won intellectual property of other nations. We can't all work in financial services, particularly since we have seen recently how fickle and self serving this can be.
This nation used to be famous for building things, for good ideas. Shame on the BSG for advocating "wait and see". Decide what we are good at and then strive to be world leaders and not world followers. I agree with the BSG that broadband is going to be mission critical in the future. Let's get off our backsides and think of ways of incentivising the various stakeholders to forge ahead. This is a great example of where we can put the Great back into Britain.