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Build the fibre optic broadband network and they will come

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Posted 20th April 2009 at 1:06pm by Jonathan Leggett

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BT’s chief executive Ian Livingstone spent Friday’s Digital Britain forum defending BT. In a lengthy speech, he explicitly addressed claims that BT is dragging its heels over the roll-out of the UK’s fibre optic network.

The crux of Mr Livingstone's argument was that demand for super fast broadband is scant, meaning that the huge investment being demanded of BT is not justified. We can see his point. There can’t be too many people prepared to upgrade their broadband connection in the current climate.

However, where we part company with BT's top man is in his claim that there are currently insufficient applications that require the download speeds that fibre optic broadband networks can deliver.

That might be so, but surely this is a chicken and egg situation? Until super fast broadband is more widespread, what incentive is there for companies to develop advanced, innovative apps to take advantage of it?

More news on: Broadband speeds, Cable broadband, Future developments

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3 comments

  • Wayne, 1st May 2009.

    BT is supposed to give me 8mb, but i only get 1.17 of download speed if they upgraded their system then maybe we will get towards the speed we signed up for. They cut my speed down for heavy usage but that was only 1.5mb. I downloaded 70gb in a month but i have cut my useage down, but my speed hasnt increased.

    If they are not willing to upgrade to fibre optic they will be left behind by other providers. If you know a way of me getting my speed put back to normal please email me at wayne.berry@live.co.uk or if anybody else knows of a way please contact me on my email.

    Reply

  • Steve Smith , 11th May 2009.

    Giving Britain high-speed broadband should be one of the uk's 'shovel-ready' programs that this poxy goverment should have invested in, not just crooked bankers who will do it all again as soon as they think they can. As for BT don't ever think that they are there for the public. They are an old monopoly whose ideas and sentiments haven't changed one iota.

    Reply

  • Matt, 7th March 2010.

    When will i have chance to get fibre optic broadband. Can anyone give me a site where it will tell me?

    Reply

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