UK ISP Freeserve has, like many others, strongly criticised Oftel (telecoms regulator) for, once again, re-defining a broadband technology as offering speeds at or above 128Kbps:

Freeserve, which wasn't invited to be involved in Oftel's consultation on the definition of broadband despite Oftel claiming that it is the second-largest ISP, doubts Oftel's ability to define broadband: "During the past year, Oftel has used four different definitions of broadband, so one has to ask if they are the best people to dictate what in fact is broadband and what isn't."

The ISP believes that this latest classification will further confuse UK web users. "The term 'broadband' has been used inconsistently for some time and this has led to serious problems of customer confusion and a failure to meet customer expectations," said a Freeserve spokesman.

"One thing we can all be certain of is that the UK will now reach its broadband subscriber targets a whole lot quicker, which the government will be pleased about," the spokesman added.

Everybody appears to have a different take on how broadband should be defined, yet frequently altering the official line smacks of incompetence.

It had previously been stated that the definition would change with the technology, although going backwards from 256Kbps would seem like moving in the wrong direction to the market.

Sadly balancing the definition between the correct technical term, market perception, government pressure and simple speed is far from easy. Still, 256Kbps seemed like a fair enough ‘starting’ block. Given them enough time and a standard 56Kbps dialup connection could become broadband =). More @ netimperative.com .