Broadband News
News, views and analysis
Broadband target postponed in the UK
15 Jul 2010 | 13.35 Europe/London
The new coalition Conservative-Liberal Democrat government in the UK has postponed 2012’s deadline for all households to receive a minimum 2Mbp/s connection. The target has been pushed back to ‘within the lifetime of the current parliament’, which could mean 2015.
The revised Universal Service Commitment (USC) was a central part of the Digital Britain initiative unveiled by the previous Labour administration. The new coalition government, which came to power in May, has been analysing the country’s finances and has warned an austerity package of cuts will be required to cut the country’s debts.
Broadband funding gap
Hence, today, Jeremy Hunt, the Secretary of State for Culture Media and Sport, revealed he has looked at government finances there is insufficient resources to fund the 2Mb USC. As he admitted in today’s speech, it goes against what he was reaffirming only last month.
“Last month, I announced that we were supporting a universal service level of 2 Meg as the very minimum that should be available,” he said.
“I have looked at the provision the Government had made to achieve this by 2012. And I’m afraid that I am not convinced that there is sufficient funding in place.
“So, while we will keep working towards that date, we have set ourselves a more realistic target of achieving universal 2 Mbps access within the lifetime of this Parliament.”
Broadband feedback
Despite acknowledging broadband’s contribution to the economy and that one in five adults are not able to access broadband services, Hunt believes the broadband commitment will have to be delayed by up to three years.
However, he has asked the broadband industry to come back to him views and suggestions in what would make investing in broadband more attractive. Based on this feedback he is vowing to outline potential legislative changes to boost private investment in broadband services.
Interestingly the Universal Service Obligation, the minimal service BT was obliged to provide, became dubbed the Universal Service Commitment when the previous labour Government decided to upgrade it and set a goal of 2Mb. The term is now being further downgraded, by Hunt, who refers to its as the Universal Service Level - a term which omits both 'obligation' and any reference to a 'commitment' goal.
The revised Universal Service Commitment (USC) was a central part of the Digital Britain initiative unveiled by the previous Labour administration. The new coalition government, which came to power in May, has been analysing the country’s finances and has warned an austerity package of cuts will be required to cut the country’s debts.
Broadband funding gap
Hence, today, Jeremy Hunt, the Secretary of State for Culture Media and Sport, revealed he has looked at government finances there is insufficient resources to fund the 2Mb USC. As he admitted in today’s speech, it goes against what he was reaffirming only last month.
“Last month, I announced that we were supporting a universal service level of 2 Meg as the very minimum that should be available,” he said.
“I have looked at the provision the Government had made to achieve this by 2012. And I’m afraid that I am not convinced that there is sufficient funding in place.
“So, while we will keep working towards that date, we have set ourselves a more realistic target of achieving universal 2 Mbps access within the lifetime of this Parliament.”
Broadband feedback
Despite acknowledging broadband’s contribution to the economy and that one in five adults are not able to access broadband services, Hunt believes the broadband commitment will have to be delayed by up to three years.
However, he has asked the broadband industry to come back to him views and suggestions in what would make investing in broadband more attractive. Based on this feedback he is vowing to outline potential legislative changes to boost private investment in broadband services.
Interestingly the Universal Service Obligation, the minimal service BT was obliged to provide, became dubbed the Universal Service Commitment when the previous labour Government decided to upgrade it and set a goal of 2Mb. The term is now being further downgraded, by Hunt, who refers to its as the Universal Service Level - a term which omits both 'obligation' and any reference to a 'commitment' goal.