Government internet targets 'inadequate and lagging behind Europe'
The UK government has achieved the Universal Service Obligations (USO) targets set in 2010 of making superfast broadband available to 90 per cent of all homes. However, critics are calling the government for even faster internet speeds, arguing that technology has moved on since the superfast speed was first discussed and warns that the UK becomes unambitious in the business world.
The original target was set in the early months of 2010 during the formation of the coalition government. Politicians pledged that 90 per cent of the UK would have “the best superfast broadband in Europe” by 2015. These goals would later be amended to 95 per cent of all homes by 2017 due to issues with connecting rural homes.
According to data released by Thinkbroadband, these targets are set to be achieved, albeit slightly later than anticipated, with the 90 per cent target due to be met by the end of 2016. However, there are concerns at the growing gap between rural and urban broadband speeds, as well as what defines superfast broadband and whether the technology the UK government has used is sufficient enough for growing demand.
Thinkbroadband and the industry regulator Ofcom currently state that broadband speeds of above 24Mbps are considered “superfast” and can be achieved by FTTC (Fibre to the Cabinet) connections. Ofcom argues that when compared to other European countries that “this level of superfast broadband availability means the United Kingdom tops the leagues”.
However, critics of the government's USO have jokingly labelled the government targets of “superfast” broadband as a “superfarce”. In the past, websites such as The Superfarce Wales were set up as parodies to the official Superfast Wales scheme. Others warn that the Universal Service Obligation of 2010 has not gone far enough in terms of offering “superfast broadband”.
Bill Halpert, CEO of KCOM, which owns the infrastructure in Hull and East Yorkshire, argues higher speeds need to be achieved: “Demand is going to continue to accelerate the way it has been.
"If you think about the development of consumer electronics and the kinds of IP solutions that we would deliver into the enterprise market and what ultra-high speed bandwidth enables regarding that economic activity, I would like to see nationally us driving a more extensive higher bandwidth than that."
Opposition to the government also suggests that better technology is already out there to provide even faster speeds, such as connections through FTTP (Fibre to the Property). Many have even pointed to data that suggests the UK is lagging far behind other European countries when it comes to FTTP connections. Indeed, Thinkbroadband figures have shown that FTTP connections are only available for 1.56 per cent of the country whereas the data indicates that this type of connection is becoming the standard for internet connections.
Rob Hilborn, head of strategy at Broadband Genie, has raised concerns with the lack of investment in FTTP: "BT is investigating using G.Fast technology to overcome some of these issues, but I believe we should be pushing for more homes and businesses to be connected to the more robust FTTP connection.”
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