10 September 2007
Internet service providers (ISPs) need to work out how to deliver faster broadband connections to the UK in the next two years or risk being left behind, the government's key advisory group on promoting the roll-out and take-up of broadband services has claimed.
According to the Broadband Stakeholder Group (BSG), the UK's ISPs need to act quickly to ensure they will be able to cope with the demands of high definition video downloads in the future.
In a report, the BSG revealed that it is currently examining ways of ensuring consumers will soon be able to experience speeds of 50Mbps, via VDSL (very high speed DSL) or fibre deployments, that will be able to cope better with internet television.
However it is warning that such developments in technology may come with a higher price tag for the consumer.
Speaking to the Telegraph, Peter Cochrane, former Chief Technology Officer and Head of Research for BT said: "Anyone wishing to upload home-made movies, or engage in real-time mixed reality games, is going to have a difficult time.
Meanwhile, Kip Meek, BSG Chairman told the newspaper: "The point we have come to, whatever technology is adopted, is that there will be a hefty bill. We have to create the circumstances in the UK where someone is prepared to write out the cheques to pay for it."