Picture of sparks
Broadband is key to UK economy

UK broadband needs help

Next-generation network infrastructure needs government targets and updated regulation to compete globally

Written by Computing staff

The government must take action to ensure the UK's high-speed communications infrastructure meets future needs, says the Broadband Stakeholder Group (BSG).
Next-generation networks are critical to economic competitiveness but there is little prospect of the necessary upgrades being delivered by the current market structure, the BSG annual report being published later today will say.

Recommendations will include government targets and an updated regulatory structure.

BSG chairman Kip Meek said: 'Broadband is key to the UK economy and has a critical impact on many people's daily lives.

'We have a limited window of opportunity: if steps are not taken now to prepare for next generation broadband, then we may well find ourselves in a position where it is too late to catch up.

'Failure to act on the issue of next generation broadband will be to the detriment of both our economy and our society,' he said.

reader comments

related articles

picture of schoolboy

Broadband fling for Highlands

Rural Scotland to get broadband access 29 Mar 2007

 

Small businesses catch up in IT stakes

Fastest growth in IT use has been among smaller businesses, says ONS 15 Mar 2007

Cumbria grabs a broadband bargain

Consortium cuts prices to schools and businesses 10 Apr 2002

Growth of UK broadband connections slows

Annual high speed link growth forced down by providers' inability to meet demand 03 Jan 2007

Swindon tops UK broadband league

Watch out though, Cardiff continues climbing 12 Dec 2006

Digital revolution must be open to all

The eAdmissions National Project success seems to counter arguments that broadband access is a preserve of the privileged 07 Dec 2006

Europe must lead digital revolution

DTI minister says Europe needs to pick up pace of progress or risk losing its competitive edge 14 Sep 2005

Government launches review into delivering next-generation broadband

Independent review will look at barriers to investing in new infrastructure 22 Feb 2008

Review 2007: Telecoms and broadband

A look back at the stories making the headlines in telecommunications last year 20 Dec 2007

Industry must bankroll high-speed broadband rollout

Report saying government investment not required is criticised as short sighted 12 Sep 2008

related whitepapers

today's top stories

Technology and privacy

Watch part one of a two-part Computing roundtable debate on the importance of putting data privacy issues at the heart of your IT plans 01 Dec 2008

Got the Knowledge?

Last week the civil service published a new strategy to help government seize the opportunities and meet the challenges of managing knowledge... 01 Dec 2008

Q&A - ntl:Telewest Business managing director Stephen Beynon

The cable provider's chief talks about the future of next-generation broadband access in the UK 28 Nov 2008

Computing podcast - Standard Life's offshoring plans; and the prospects for government IT

The insurance giant outlines its new outsourcing strategy; and we ask if the government's economic bailout will affect its IT plans 28 Nov 2008

India will remain open for business - but that's not the real story

One of the duties I have to fulfil as a director of the National Outsourcing Association is to talk to the media... 28 Nov 2008

Advertisement

Newsletter signup

Sign up for our range of FREE newsletters:

Existing User

Newsletter user login:

Advertisement

Jobs

Related jobs

Job of the week

Job alerts

Sign up here

Find your next job

IT Salary Checker

Check salary here

Advertisement

White papers

Search white papers

Top categories

VPN, Extranet and Intranet Solutions

WAN/ LAN Solutions

Network Security

Interoperability-Connectivity

Grid/ Utility Computing

Latest poll

Will the terrorist attacks in Mumbai affect your offshoring plans?

Will the terrorist attacks in Mumbai affect your offshoring plans?

Is India becoming a risky destination?

Previous poll results

Latest audio and video articles

Padlocked CDVideo

Technology and privacy

Watch part one of a two-part Computing roundtable debate on the importance of putting data privacy issues at the heart of your IT plans 01 Dec 2008

Podcast imageAudio

Computing podcast - Standard Life's offshoring plans; and the prospects for government IT

The insurance giant outlines its new outsourcing strategy; and we ask if the government's economic bailout will affect its IT plans 28 Nov 2008

Latest in-depth articles

ntl:Telewest's Stephen BeynonAnalysis

Q&A - ntl:Telewest Business managing director Stephen Beynon

The cable provider's chief talks about the future of next-generation broadband access in the UK 28 Nov 2008

cowboyFeatures

Guns for hire

David Neal explores the world of interim CIOs and discovers why more firms are turning to them to spur on IT-led change 27 Nov 2008

Advertisement

Primary Navigation