The UK now has over half a million high-speed broadband
connections, according to telecoms watchdog Oftel. The news came as
cable operator Telewest announced 1,500 job cuts to stay afloat.
Its main rival, NTL, recently outlined restructuring plans to
survive the pressure from its $17 billion debts.
Broadband services are now delivered to homes and businesses
using cable modems, DSL technology, broadband fixed wireless and
broadband satellite services. David Edmonds, Director General of
Telecommunications said:
"With over 20,000 broadband connections a
week, the current level of growth outstrips the equivalent demand
for mobile phones and dial-up internet when they were first
introduced. And the UK has more competition at both network and
service levels than many European countries. Where many consumers
in Europe rely on the incumbent for broadband services, UK
consumers are choosing from a number of different networks and
service providers.”
However, the UK is still believed to be lagging behind its
European neighbours in the provision of next generation Ethernet
broadband services - which operate at 20 times the speed of ADSL
connections. The UK's incumbent, BT, continues to face industry
criticism over its provision of wholesale broadband services to
smaller operators.
