UK Think-Tank Calls for End of the Obsession with Internet Broadband Speeds

Published on: 7th Jan 2013

­A centre-right political think-tank has said that the UK government needs to end its fixation with having the fastest broadband speeds in the world and focus more effort in expanding access to internet services to those who don't have it.

A new report from Policy Exchange says that politicians have become overly focused on broadband speeds. The internet is central to modern life, and next generation fixed and mobile broadband are unquestionably vitally important for the economy. But the case for spending any more taxpayers' money to subsidise very fast connectivity is weak.

The report suggests an end to government subsidies for broadband infrastructure once current commitments are reached in 2015. Instead the government should focus on helping the 10.8 million people not online - half of whom are over 65 - and do more to help small businesses make the most of the opportunities presented by the internet.

The report says that the government should see out its current spending plans to extend superfast fixed broadband to 90 per cent of the country, to accelerate the roll out of 4G wireless networks, and to deliver on the 2Mbps universal service commitment for 2015.

However, once this programme is completed, the priority for any further use of taxpayers' money must be on empowering consumers and businesses to make best use of the internet. Combined with a relentless focus on effective, sustainable competition, this will ensure that supply and demand are free to drive the private sector broadband investment and innovation that people want.

Chris Yiu, author of the report, "Successive governments have been right to invest public money in basic broadband connectivity. The government's current spending plans will extend fast broadband to the vast majority of people. Any further public money should be spent on making sure we are putting this to good use. It's far from clear that your taxes should help to pay for me to have an even faster connection."

"There is no doubt that broadband, both fixed and wireless, makes a major contribution to the economy. But the right person to decide how much speed your family or business needs is you - not the government."

 

Tags: [UK]