Search for killer app slowing NGA investment

Build it and they will come says head of Communications Consumer Panel

Next generation fibre rollouts - are ISPs waiting for 'killer application'?

The rollout of next generation access (NGA) networks in the UK is being hampered by ISPs' waiting for a killer application to justify investment in new fibre networks, an industry-wide gathering was told today.

The warning came from Communications Consumer Panel chair Anna Bradley speaking at the Westminster eForum on the Future of UK Broadband.

"Any debate about stimulating NGA rollouts has to start with consumers. We don't need a single compelling application, and this gives ammunition to those who say, 'Until we get that single killer application – let's wait and see before we build the network'," said Bradley.

The big problem with investments in NGA has been whether consumers would pay for high speed network connections - anywhere up to 10 times faster than the UK's current average broadband speed.

The theory behind the killer application is that such an application would massively drive uptake of NGA connections, making investing in, for example, fibre-to-the-home (FTTH) connections, profitable for ISPs.