Over the last couple of years we have seen a significant increase in government advertising and government expenditure on the UK broadband sector. We have seen the issue of various reports, we have seen increases in fixed line and mobile broadband speeds and recently we saw the introduction of a telephone tax purely and simply to fund development of the UK National broadband network. So can the UK government deliver on its promise of high-speed broadband to each and every corner of the UK?
One thing is for certain, the UK government has built up a demand for high-speed broadband in the UK, both in the UK business arena and the consumer market, which needs to be met. While BT is heading the creation of a high-speed broadband network there is a need for the government to remain involved both on the funding side and to overlook the project as a whole. It seems inevitable that we will see conflict between competing UK Internet service providers, with BT already cleared to increase broadband wholesale prices in the UK to help to pay for the creation of the high-speed network.
If the government fails to deliver on its promise of a high-speed broadband network in the UK, this will impact upon the UK economy and the UK business arena in the short to medium term. Quite simply, the UK government cannot afford to fail!