BT has called on the Government and industry to back its target of achieving 100% broadband coverage for every UK community by 2005. The telecoms incumbent already makes mass market broadband available to more than 80% of British households and is set to upgrade its internet exchanges to serve 90% of the population by the end of next year.
However, BT has today announced plans to introduce broadband technology in a further 2,300 exchanges when demand reaches pre-determined ‘trigger’ levels. The move could provide a further two million homes and businesses with high-speed internet access and may help the Government’s Broadband Britain become a reality by 2005.
These trigger levels are assessed on an exchange by exchange basis and calculated by estimating the average cost of a number of lines connected to the exchange. These demand triggers will range from 100 to 500 requests for broadband, depending on the cost ratio.
Commenting on the initiative, Ben Verwaayen, BT Group chief executive, said: “Setting out this clear and achievable goal for the industry will energise the market to the benefit of everyone. Our industry has a huge role to play to accelerate broadband availability, demand and take-up.”
However, Verwaayen acknowledged that there is still much to do if the targets are to be achieved: “Setting triggers does not by itself deliver broadband and we should all be impatient to speed the process up. Partnerships will do this and ensure that the UK leads the world’s large economies in becoming 100% broadband-enabled with rapid take-up of broadband by citizens and business,” he said.
The move has been welcomed by industry watchdog, Oftel, which said that the goal of 100% broadband coverage is good news for small businesses wishing to maximise the benefits of trading on the internet and for consumers wanting faster access with more advanced services.
Oftel predicts that one million customers are likely to upgrade to broadband services over the next twelve months – a stronger growth rate than both France and Germany (see Half Of UK Homes Are Now Online).
However, recent research suggests that the drive towards broadband is in danger of stalling as consumers become increasingly confused and angry over the rising tide of spam, viruses and pop-up advertising on the web.
