Survey Finds Strong Support for a 10Mbps UK Broadband USO

A new survey of 1,823 ISPreview.co.uk readers has discovered that 77% support the Government’s plan to introduce a new Universal Service Obligation, which could require BT and others to ensure that everybody can access a broadband speed of 10Mbps+ by 2020. But most want an even faster speed.

Ofcom’s existing legally binding USO only requires that the primary telecoms operator (BT for the UK and KC in Hull) should deliver, following the “reasonable request of any end-user“, a telephone service that includes the ability to offer “data rates that are sufficient to permit functional internet access” (i.e. dialup class Internet services at 28.8Kbps+).

By comparison the Government’s current non-binding Universal Service Commitment (USC) only pledges to ensure that everybody should have access to a minimum Internet download speed of 2Mbps (Megabits per second), although this can be delivered by any means including inferior Satellite technology (example).

At this stage we don’t yet know exactly what approach the Government will take for their proposed 10Mbps USO, although BT has already signalled that they could deliver it via fixed line broadband services and that seems to be the most likely outcome (here).

The good news is that the vast majority of our readers appear to support the new USO plan and most would still support it even if that meant a small increase in their broadband price. However most also believe that the Government should aim even higher than 10Mbps.

Do you support the Government’s proposed 10Mbps broadband Universal Service Obligation?
Yes – 77.1%
No – 16.3%
Unsure – 6.5%

Should the USO include Satellite connectivity?
No – 52.7%
Yes – 32.4%
Unsure – 14.7%

Would you still support the USO if it meant a small rise in broadband price (e.g. 50p a month)?
Yes – 50p is fine – 61.6%
No – 24%
Yes – If less than 50p – 9.3%
Unsure – 4.9%

Is 10Mbps fast enough?
No – 75.3%
Yes – 24.6%

It’s worth pointing out that imposing a legal requirement to deliver a decent level of broadband connectivity is no simple measure and would put additional pressure upon BT, and possibly other operators too, in order to ensure its delivery.

Mind you even a USO may not solve all of the problems because we’ve still seen plenty of cases where even under the current USO some properties, particularly new builds, have been left to wait months before a working phone line could be installed.

It’s also interesting to note that that only around a third of respondents would be happy if the Government used Satellite connectivity to deliver the USO. Satellite has already been used for the non-binding 2Mbps USC, but it can’t deliver a low latency service and struggles to match the affordable video / TV streaming friendly ‘unlimited’ usage allowances of fixed line methods.

Meanwhile this month’s new survey asks whether or not broadband speed would influence how you go about the business of buying a new house? Vote Here.