Most UK ISPs already recognise that web-base video sites, while an increasing bandwidth hog, are popular services that consumers both want and expect to use. However that does not mean to say they will all enjoy reading YouTube's latest news, which has just announced support for 1080p High Definition video.


Presently YouTube has not indicated whether it will also increase its 2GB upload limit to compensate for the higher resolution content. Likewise many UK consumers will not have a fast enough connection to make streaming a full 1080p video more desirable than 720p or the most common standard quality.

In other words we don't expect UK broadband ISPs to take a huge hit, although no doubt there will be some gradual change. Services like this are also likely to help fuel demand for faster broadband services. Consumers should typically keep an eye on their usage too, especially if you subscribe to a package with defined limits or a vague Fair Usage Policy. Beware of extra usage costs.