Wales gets promise of high-speed broadband
WALES is to benefit from universal high-speed broadband. The UK Government yesterday launched a consultation on how a new “right to request a connection” would work in practice.
BT has put forward an offer to voluntarily provide this service, after the UK government committed to introduce a Universal Service Obligation (USO) to give every home and business the right to request a high speed connection of at least 10Mbps.
The Government has said that BT’s proposal means many premises would receive substantially more speed and connections quicker than through a regulatory approach.
Considering the two options, UK Culture Secretary Karen Bradley said the Government is “taking action” to ensure that people everywhere in the UK “can get a decent broadband connection as soon as possible”.
“We warmly welcome BT’s offer and now will look at whether this or a regulatory approach works better.”
“Whichever of the two approaches we go with in the end, the driving force will be making sure we get the best deal for consumers.” she said.
The proposed minimum speed of 10Mbps is what a typical family needs for them to be able to simultaneously stream films, video conference and browse the web, the Government said.
It will consider BT’s proposal alongside a consultation on introducing the regulatory USO, launched yesterday. A USO would provide a safety net, meaning that fast and reliable broadband was available to everyone, the Government said.
BT chief executive Gavin Patterson said: “We are pleased to make a voluntary offer to deliver the Government’s goal for universal broadband at minimum speeds of 10Mbps.
“This would involve an estimated investment of £450m to £600m.
“We already expect 95% of homes and businesses to have access to superfast broadband speeds of 24Mbps or faster by the end of 2017. “
The announcement came after MPs demanded that families who do not receive internet speeds they pay for should get compensation.
Six of the 20 constituencies with the slowest download speeds in the UK are in Wales, with Carmarthen East and Dinefwr in top position.
The British Infrastructure Group of cross-party MPs launched a hard-hitting report – “Broadband 2.0” – which warns that 6.7 million broadband connections may not receive download speeds above the UK Government’s proposed minimum of 10Mbps.
Dwyfor Meirionnydd Plaid Cymru MP Liz Saville Roberts said: “Far too many people across Wales are unable to access what Ofcom recognises as the speed required for basic tasks such as web browsing, streaming and video calling, and this digital divide undoubtedly contributes to the wider economic divide.”