UK broadband 'not fit' for future.

[HSK]

A study of the global state of broadband has put the UK 25th out of 66 countries in terms of the quality and reach of its networks.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/8282839.stm

well, obviously something that won't come as a surprise to most of us on here.

Personally I can't see UK broadband climbing up the table for a good, goood few years.

Even cheekier, BT adding more to bills to fund broadband develop?! When they should just invest profits! (IMO)

Well, I guess they don't because it's not beneficial to them.

So do you guys think the existing network will get up to speed any time soon...or is it all in the hands of people like Virgin Media and what not.

But I never really here great things about them either.

I guess I'm ranting because I never really get more than 1 meg! lol and BT lines break faster than they can fix them.

[MadduckUK]

why would it ever climb up the table? other places wont be standing still

[HSK]

Well, what I mean by that is - at the moment UK broadband is reaching demands for today, but not the future...and that doesn't apply to every user.

[kalniel]

Even cheekier, BT adding more to bills to fund broadband develop?! When they should just invest profits! (IMO)

They're the same thing surely?

So do you guys think the existing network will get up to speed any time soon...or is it all in the hands of people like Virgin Media and what not.

Dunno - there was outcry on an earlier thread that suggested the goverment pay to develop UK broadband. So it seems we all want better broadband but aren't willing for anyone to pay for it.

[HSK]

They're the same thing surely?

aha, yea I see what you mean - I would not of classed it as profit though, as they're adding it on for it, specifically.

I'd happily pay for faster broadband. would love to! It's just a shame my area is so crap. theres no digital/fibre optic/cable lines or suppliers. Everything runs off a BT line, which has past it.

So it don't matter who I switch to, I'll still get turd BB.

[pollaxe]

Put a tax on cyclists and use it to invest in future broadband.

[kalniel]

aha, yea I see what you mean - I would not of classed it as profit though, as they're adding it on for it, specifically.

Transparent billing? What a notion! If you'd rather they just invested and then increased bills silently to maintain profit margins then I'm sure there are other companies more than willing to do that

[Georgy291]

Put a tax on cyclists and use it to invest in future broadband.

F U!

put a tax on drivers who try to run cyclists over.

bikes are expensive enough in uk as it is. in america they are exactly the same price but in dollars, which is what twice as cheap?

[MadduckUK]

in america they are exactly the same price but in dollars, which is what twice as cheap?

only if yanks get paid twice as much

[Lucio]

And this is why private companies shouldn't run public services. You get two conflicting ideas, one to make as much profit for the company as possible and the other to deliver value for money & to provide the best possible service.


Simply put, BT should have never been privatised, sure sell the capacity wholesale to companies who manage billing, services etc, but the wholesale market should have been kept in public hands.

[pollaxe]

F U!

put a tax on drivers who try to run cyclists over.

Back atcha. Drivers pay enough tax as it is.

Perhaps I should pay a bit more tax for the right to swerve when the next idiot, iPod in ears is writing a text on his bike as he's cycling through my town, veering across the road?

Drivers aren't the only idiots on the road, I'm afraid.

Lucio, totally agreed on the privatisation of BT. I honestly can't see the situation in the UK improving much, just becoming more polarised between those who already have fast broadband getting faster and the rest of us languishing on bobbins connections.

[kalniel]

And this is why private companies shouldn't run public services. You get two conflicting ideas, one to make as much profit for the company as possible and the other to deliver value for money & to provide the best possible service.

But the point is those ideas don't conflict. Delivering value for money and best possible service should enable the most profit to be made in a correctly operating market.

[usxhe190]

And this is why private companies shouldn't run public services. You get two conflicting ideas, one to make as much profit for the company as possible and the other to deliver value for money & to provide the best possible service.


Simply put, BT should have never been privatised, sure sell the capacity wholesale to companies who manage billing, services etc, but the wholesale market should have been kept in public hands.

By that argument, you are telling me the top performing countries have governments doing this and that is simply untrue.

[Clunk]

why would it ever climb up the table?

If they've been chairful.

[mycarsavw]

UK broadband 'not fit' for present is more fitting.

Someone needs to fix what we have now.

[usxhe190]

To be honest, I am surprised that Australia ranks ahead of the UK. I have some Antipedian friends and their connection is woeful slow and expensive.