Millions suffer 'dire' broadband speeds
Millions of British homes and businesses still face "dire" broadband speeds, MPs have warned.
According to a cross-party report by the British Infrastructure Group (BIG), 5.7 million broadband customers have connections that fall below Ofcom's acceptable minimum speed of 10Mbps, with 3.5 million living in rural areas.
The report highlighted Ofcom statistics that suggest slow broadband is costing the UK economy close to £11 billion a year, despite the £1.7 billion of taxpayers' money that is channelled to BT to improve services across the country.
In response to these figures, BIG has called for BT and its Openreach subsidiary to be separated into two entirely independent companies, with the hope of generating greater investment and innovation in the market.
"Whilst rural SMEs and consumers are left with dire speeds, or even no service at all, Openreach makes vast profits and finds little reason to invest in the network, install new lines or even fix faults in a properly timely manner," the report stated.
BIG also suggested that the UK should be at the forefront of digital innovation but is being held back by "outdated" copper technology.
The cross-party report has been signed by 121 MPs, including Lib Dem former Scottish Secretary Alistair Carmichael, Labour MP Helen Goodman, former Tory cabinet minister Grant Shapps, and Ukip's Douglas Carswell.
The report also notes that with BT’s purchase of EE, it will have a 40 per cent share of the retail telecoms market and a 70 per cent share of the wholesale market, making it hard for rivals to compete and "stifling" progress.
Responding to the report, Gavin Patterson, BT chief executive, admitted that in rural areas there was “no question” that there was "more to do" to improve the service.
"Over 90 per cent of the UK can get super fast broadband today - which means that 10 per cent today cannot,” he told the BBC.
Almost all businesses today need reliable, superfast broadband, which is not always available in their area, so getting a dedicated leased line for the premises can be the best solution. hSo provides managed networks designed for business - to get an instant cost for a leased line at your location, visit our online leased line price checker.
(Image: Kainet)
