Broadband take-up: UK is 19th, but growing fast

The UK is still lagging in the world rankings for broadband use, despite some of Europe's lowest prices.

But government and experts point to impressive growth rates and say we are seeing substantial growth.

The UK has gained three places in the league table of the world's 30 richest nations, but still languishes in 19th place, according to the latest bi-annual broadband figures released by inter-governmental research group the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).

Since the last report (see Computing 30 May), UK broadband has overtaken Luxembourg, New Zealand and Italy. But penetration still stands at only 1.3 per cent.

Ecommerce minister Stephen Timms says that the fast-moving broadband market has moved on since June 2002, when the OECD statistics were compiled.

'The figures quoted for take-up of broadband in the UK were gathered in spring 2002 and the picture has changed significantly since then.

'The number of subscribers has trebled since the beginning of 2002 alone and we now have over a million broadband connections in Britain, rising at an average of 28,000 a week,' Timms told Computing.

The OECD figures are included in a report on international business broadband which stresses the need for active competition to drive take up in the business sector.

Timms said: 'The UK already has one of the most competitive environments in Europe, and indeed the world. Government firmly believes in competition driving broadband and accounting for the rapid growth we are now seeing.'

A benchmarking study published by telecoms watchdog Oftel last week corroborates the minister's claim, showing UK growth rates at 47 per cent for the second quarter of 2002, in comparison to 29 per cent growth in France, nine per cent in Germany and three per cent in Sweden.

UK prices for business broadband are the cheapest in Europe. And residential DSL charges have fallen 27 per cent since February and are now on a par with those in France, Germany or the US, says Oftel.

The growth rate is the key indicator, says Antony Walker, chief executive of advisory body the Broadband Stakeholder Group.

'We have all known the UK started more slowly and at a later date than a number of other lead economies so the fact we are still behind is not a surprise.

'The key thing is whether we are growing more quickly then other countires because that is the driver to moving further along the OECD graph.

'But being in 19th place is still a healthy reminder of how much there is still to be done,' said Walker.