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Fibre optic needed to save British broadband

Next-generation broadband speeds in the UK could be slower than they currently are unless the government acts quickly and effectively on the issue of fibre optic broadband.

That is the view of one expert who says that without a clear plan involving government, businesses and communities, UK broadband “may be worse” in future.

Ian Fogg, research director at industry analysts Forrester Research, said that UK broadband needs a bold strategy of network investment in order to safeguard broadband speeds over the coming years.

Speaking at a Westminster forum for the future of broadband, Fogg said:

"People use iPlayer, they use World of Warcraft, they use these things more and more and if there isn't the network investment going in, the actual speeds that we enjoy will actually reduce over the next few years. We need to get this right and we need to get this right today."

"If we get this wrong - which we might do - or if we're slow to do it, tomorrow's broadband speeds may be the same as today's broadband speeds. They may be worse without that investment.”

However, Fogg warned that with British broadband users becoming more accustomed to paying less for their broadband connections, the case for fibre – which he says is the only medium capable of delivering the “step change” needed for British broadband – becomes harder to fight.

People paying less for broadband and choosing to shop for price over quality of service would make it harder to sell the benefits of fibre optic broadband, said Fogg.

06/11/2008
Author: CompareBroadbandUK staff writer

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