Ofcom has begun talking up the broadband aspect of their forthcoming telecoms review, with a specific focus on even faster technologies. The UK is still lacking a clear plan for the future:

"It is very important that regulation does not put off companies that might invest in this next generation of technology," said Ofcom in its consultation document.

"Whether this move forward will happen, and how quickly, will depend partly on whether operators succeed in selling entertainment services to us that are delivered using broadband connections," it added.

The speed issue, whether it be providing 4Mbps, or 26Mbps as Japan has introduced, is not so crucial to those just getting acquainted with broadband.

The BBC News Online item does a good job of presenting the various arguments and prospects. It's interesting to note that Ofcom believes watching TV and movies over the phone line will eventually be commonplace; we hope so to (*cough* not with usage caps though *cough*).

Much as we've concluded, the next 5 to 10 years will likely be dominated by faster ADSL (2/2+) and wireless technology, with BT unlikely to invest in a national fibre network unless government support is given. Fair enough, it’s hardly cheap to go about replacing the aged copper network.