Graham Whitehead, a principal consultant for BT Exact, has said that "people don't see a need for broadband in their daily lives". He also believes that private networks are the way forward and that the Internet is dead – OK!?:

"The internet is dead, or dying; it's full of viruses, worms and porn, you have to wear a kevlar suit before you go online" he said. "BT is creating a private network, which will be joined to other private networks, to which we will add voice over IP."

He said that the relatively low rate of broadband uptake in the UK, where there are 3 million DSL and 1.5 million cable broadband subscribers, is due to the fact that people don't see a need for broadband in their daily lives. He said that the evolution of data networks into always-on real-time access (AORTA) networks would lead to an increased number of networked devices in the home.

He predicted a future where washing machines, TVs, security systems and other electronically-controlled systems would all be networked, controlled and maintained by a virtual domestic supervisor.

Yes, or perhaps the low uptake is because many still find it hard to afford the activation charge, fear the security problems, can't comprehend the technology due to lack of education or don't own a good enough computer in the first place.

As for washing machines being controlled by a virtual domestic supervisor? What does that mean and how, exactly, are we supposed to see more of a need for that in our daily lives than a broadband connection? More @ ElectricNews.