Comments on: Clock is ticking on UK broadband http://blog.telecoms.com/2007/11/26/clock-is-ticking-on-uk-broadband/ Telecoms industry news and opinion Wed, 19 Nov 2008 11:37:48 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.0.12-alpha by: Howard Bedford http://blog.telecoms.com/2007/11/26/clock-is-ticking-on-uk-broadband/#comment-462 Thu, 06 Dec 2007 10:03:55 +0000 http://blog.telecoms.com/2007/11/26/clock-is-ticking-on-uk-broadband/#comment-462 I have been continually intruiged by the "buzz" associated with proposed faster speeds. A 4Mb/s symmetrical connection is more attractive to me than an "up to 50Mb/s" downstream link. "Hello ISPs, could we have improved quality rather than flash notional best effort services please?" I have been continually intruiged by the “buzz” associated with proposed faster speeds. A 4Mb/s symmetrical connection is more attractive to me than an “up to 50Mb/s” downstream link. “Hello ISPs, could we have improved quality rather than flash notional best effort services please?”

]]> by: Moh Yan http://blog.telecoms.com/2007/11/26/clock-is-ticking-on-uk-broadband/#comment-373 Wed, 28 Nov 2007 15:51:57 +0000 http://blog.telecoms.com/2007/11/26/clock-is-ticking-on-uk-broadband/#comment-373 As some have said, BT are not going to invest in fibre infrastructure until any number of the following conditions occur : 1. Regulatory pressure to do so 2. Business case is compelling (new business, loss of existing business etc) 3. Convergence with existing infrastructure plans (21CN roll-out, new housing estates etc) A similar situation exists in Germany (DT) . DT are unwilling to deploy new infrastructure (and I mean new - this is not networks that existed when the incumbents were state utilities) if they are forced to open it to competitors at non-ROI rates (see 1) . Interestingly, a European model that has taken hold for FTTx is where municipal bodies (cities, councils etc) pay for network cabling etc, and service providers then have equal rights in connecting and providing services over the network (to residential apartment blocks etc) . Perhaps UK authorities at various administrative levels will need to do the same (business region/development grants etc) . Because until Virgin Media etc have comparable networks (size, reach etc) , BT will squeeze every last bit/s out of the existing copper links. As some have said, BT are not going to invest in fibre
infrastructure until any number of the following
conditions occur :

1. Regulatory pressure to do so
2. Business case is compelling (new business, loss of
existing business etc)
3. Convergence with existing infrastructure plans (21CN
roll-out, new housing estates etc)

A similar situation exists in Germany (DT) .
DT are unwilling to deploy new infrastructure (and
I mean new - this is not networks that existed when
the incumbents were state utilities) if they are
forced to open it to competitors at non-ROI rates (see
1) .

Interestingly, a European model that has taken hold for
FTTx is where municipal bodies (cities, councils etc)
pay for network cabling etc, and service providers then
have equal rights in connecting and providing services
over the network (to residential apartment blocks etc) .

Perhaps UK authorities at various administrative levels
will need to do the same (business region/development
grants etc) . Because until Virgin Media etc have
comparable networks (size, reach etc) , BT will squeeze
every last bit/s out of the existing copper links.

]]> by: Broadband http://blog.telecoms.com/2007/11/26/clock-is-ticking-on-uk-broadband/#comment-363 Tue, 27 Nov 2007 12:42:21 +0000 http://blog.telecoms.com/2007/11/26/clock-is-ticking-on-uk-broadband/#comment-363 Sorry - I meant to add - FTTH (Fibre To The Home) new generation broadband in the above comment.. Sorry - I meant to add - FTTH (Fibre To The Home) new generation broadband in the above comment..

]]> by: Matthew http://blog.telecoms.com/2007/11/26/clock-is-ticking-on-uk-broadband/#comment-362 Tue, 27 Nov 2007 12:37:46 +0000 http://blog.telecoms.com/2007/11/26/clock-is-ticking-on-uk-broadband/#comment-362 I doubt that a connected or disconected home scenario will result - more and more web savvy folk will expect far reaching broadband coverage to suit their lifestyles. The government and BT http://www.bt.com/broadband surely will work towards a solution - something that until now has been overlooked. I doubt that a connected or disconected home scenario will result - more and more web savvy folk will expect far reaching broadband coverage to suit their lifestyles. The government and BT http://www.bt.com/broadband surely will work towards a solution - something that until now has been overlooked.

]]> by: Matthew Griffiths http://blog.telecoms.com/2007/11/26/clock-is-ticking-on-uk-broadband/#comment-357 Mon, 26 Nov 2007 16:32:59 +0000 http://blog.telecoms.com/2007/11/26/clock-is-ticking-on-uk-broadband/#comment-357 With reference to the above article the current house building boom in the UK has resulted in what were one-street villages transforming into commuter towns. The problem with this is that these often share an exchange with a 'neighbouring' village and the building greatly increases the distance from the exchange. I live on a modern development with a number of home workers and professional families and yet have access to only the lowest speed broadband whilst friends residing in rural farmhouses have broadband speeds I can only dream of. Unless BT or the Government invests in providing key services to new developments we will see a widening gap. This time it won't be the "North South divide" but the "Connected or Disconnected home". With reference to the above article the current house building boom in the UK has resulted in what were one-street villages transforming into commuter towns. The problem with this is that these often share an exchange with a ‘neighbouring’ village and the building greatly increases the distance from the exchange. I live on a modern development with a number of home workers and professional families and yet have access to only the lowest speed broadband whilst friends residing in rural farmhouses have broadband speeds I can only dream of.

Unless BT or the Government invests in providing key services to new developments we will see a widening gap. This time it won’t be the “North South divide” but the “Connected or Disconnected home”.

]]> by: David http://blog.telecoms.com/2007/11/26/clock-is-ticking-on-uk-broadband/#comment-356 Mon, 26 Nov 2007 16:32:20 +0000 http://blog.telecoms.com/2007/11/26/clock-is-ticking-on-uk-broadband/#comment-356 What's the point? Presumably BT will not invest in upgrading the infrastructure unless there's a better rate of return than they think they will get when compelled by Ofcom to offer a wholesale service. Is it not Ofcom's job to make those kind of judgements and then negotiate a deal between BT and the other players? If BT invests and delivers a % cover across the UK at an average y mbit/s to z % householeds/business addresses, then BT will be permitted to charge x £, achieve y% rate of return or howver else you care to calculate. You don't need a government minister to look as though he's trying to do something. What’s the point? Presumably BT will not invest in upgrading the infrastructure unless there’s a better rate of return than they think they will get when compelled by Ofcom to offer a wholesale service. Is it not Ofcom’s job to make those kind of judgements and then negotiate a deal between BT and the other players? If BT invests and delivers a % cover across the UK at an average y mbit/s to z % householeds/business addresses, then BT will be permitted to charge x £, achieve y% rate of return or howver else you care to calculate. You don’t need a government minister to look as though he’s trying to do something.

]]> by: James Abbott http://blog.telecoms.com/2007/11/26/clock-is-ticking-on-uk-broadband/#comment-355 Mon, 26 Nov 2007 16:31:51 +0000 http://blog.telecoms.com/2007/11/26/clock-is-ticking-on-uk-broadband/#comment-355 While we all would appreciate a faster broadband, mine averages out at 1.4mbps. At least in the UK it is available on line 24/7. In the south of France I'm lucky if I can get on line 4 days out of 7. While we all would appreciate a faster broadband, mine averages out at 1.4mbps. At least in the UK it is available on line 24/7. In the south of France I’m lucky if I can get on line 4 days out of 7.

]]>