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Jeremy Hunt Paper Launches Governments Superfast UK Broadband Plan

Posted: 08th Jun, 2010 By: MarkJ
fibre optic cableThe UK Secretary of State for Culture, the Olympics Media and Sport (DCMS), Jeremy Hunt, has today set out the governments plan for bolstering the country's broadband internet access infrastructure. Sadly anybody expecting detail will be forced to wait until 15th July when a more constructive paper should surface.

The speech by Hunt mostly confirmed what we already knew (here), such as how the government plans to use part of the BBC's TV Licence fee to fund the roll-out of superfast broadband to rural areas; albeit assuming that the private sector has failed to get the job done by around 2012.

He also wants BT and other infrastructure providers to open up access into their cable ducts (underground and telegraph poles). However some ISPs fear that this would be ineffective, especially if BT puts the costs too high. He did however warn that "legislation" would be "necessary" if operators refuse to play. Virgin Media probably won't like the sound of that.

Jeremy Hunt's speech on broadband said:

"Singapore wants universal access to superfast broadband by 2012, by which time Korea plans to have provided one million homes with 1 Ggigabit per second (Gbps) connections – a speed which can download a two hour film in just 12 seconds.

But in this country, the legacy was – in the same timescale – a commitment to a paltry 2Mbps universal connection [USC]. Necessary, of course, but pitifully unambitious compared to a Korean goal 500 times faster.

It is a scandal that nearly 3 million households in this country still cannot access 2Mbps broadband speeds, and less than 1% of the country is able to access the internet using modern fibre optic technology – compared to an OECD average of around 10%."

The wording is positive, although ironically it's the first truly official confirmation we've had that the new government does still recognise its "commitment to a paltry 2Mbps universal connection ... as the very minimum that should be available". Prior to today most of the talk has been about superfast broadband, with barely a hint of the USC.

Hunt also announced 3 market testing [trial] projects that will bring superfast broadband to rural and hard-to-reach areas. These projects, aside from benefitting whichever areas they include, will also provide the government with vital information about how best to deliver Next Generation Access (NGA) services to rural areas.

Jeremy Hunt added:

"Wherever I go in the country, businesses tell me that access to fast, reliable broadband is increasingly essential. Superfast broadband is not simply about doing the same things faster, it’s about doing totally new things. And it isn’t only about business – it’s about opening up new opportunities to improve public services such as education and healthcare.

We have to make sure that the benefits of superfast broadband are available to everyone, including those in rural areas. The action plan I have set out today will help create a broadband infrastructure for our country that meets the needs of all its citizens and businesses, and that will stand comparison with anywhere in the world."

Hunt then continued on to praise BT for its £2.5bn investment to make superfast broadband download speeds of up to 40Mbps+ available to 66% of the UK population by 2015 (here). He also highlighted Virgin Media for its forward thinking trials of 200Mbps broadband services (here).

Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Caroline Spelman, said:

"Providing effective broadband connections for rural communities is one of my top priorities. Broadband access for rural communities is essential if we are to provide the means for their economies and businesses to grow and to minimise the social digital divide for people living in rural areas. I will work closely with colleagues across Government to make this happen."

The new government has also scrapped pilots for an Independently Funded News Consortia, which will free up an extra £47m for use by superfast broadband projects. Broadband Delivery UK (BDUK) – the organisation which will be the delivery vehicle for these policies and that hasn't even got a proper website yet – will hold the industry event on 15th July to provide further details.
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