Next-generation internet 'should be measured by services'

21/05/2010

Next-generation, high-speed broadband should be defined in terms of the services it provides as well as how fast it is, according to the Internet Service Providers' Association (ISPA).

More than half of UK consumers would pay extra for 100Mbps broadband access, according to recent survey published by ISPreview.co.uk.

They would be willing to pay extra even if they already had a reliable 10Mbps connection speed. If the fast-speed broadband is rolled out across the country, business telecoms could become more efficient.

A spokesperson for the ISPA said: "Next-Generation Access should be measured in services that can be delivered over the internet, alongside specifying speed."

He said that the government should "focus on encouraging investment in high-speed broadband" in order to "create a competitive market" for it in isolated areas.

This could lead to lower business telecoms costs being enjoyed by firms in the future.

"In the small minority of areas where the market may not deliver, the ISPA would welcome government efforts to ensure that no one is digitally excluded," he added.

Labour, the Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats all announced plans in their pre-election manifestos to deploy super-fast broadband across the UK.

Posted by Nicola Richards