Broadband growth needs Government boost
2nd February 2012
News that UK consumers are accessing faster average broadband
speeds has been described as "encouraging" by the CWU.
A study by industry regulator Ofcom:
UK fixed-line broadband performance, reported that, last
November, the average actual UK residential broadband speed was 7.6
megabites per second (Mbps), compared with 6.8 Mbps in May and
6.2Mbps in 2010.
And, for the first time, more than half - 58 per cent - of UK residential broadband connections have a headline speed of above 10Mbps.
Ofcom chief executive Ed Richards, who also
unveiled new guidelines on advertising to ensure customers get the
speeds promised by providers, predicted that this trend will
continue.
"Most households in the UK can now access superfast broadband services, and these services are set to get faster still," he said, citing plans by both BT and Virgin Media to double current speeds.
CWU deputy general secretary Andy Kerr
said that the pattern of increasing speed and widening access to
this was "encouraging."
But the union is urging the Government to take a more proactive
approach, he added, urging Westminster: "Don't leave it
all to market forces.
"Up in Scotland, the devolved Government has unveiled plans
to accelerate broadband internet speeds by up to five times within
three years and aims to get 40Mbps to 85 per cent of premises by
2015," Andy pointed out. (Scots
digital action plan leads the way).
"Perhaps our politicians at Westminster should take a leaf
out of their book," he suggested.
"The CWU is working hard to promote increased broadband speeds and coverage throughout the UK, both by lobbying government for adequate public funding and working with employers to encourage a properly trained, equipped and motivated workforce capable of delivering a world-class digital network for the nation."
Andy also expressed his support for the tightening up of guidelines on the use of 'up to' speed claims in broadband advertising, which the regulator will introduce in April.
"Consumer Focus policy director Adam Scorer is absolutely right to highlight this," said Andy.
"We join him in his hope that these new rules will ensure that customers are not misled about the service levels they can expect from their broadband provider."
