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When will you get superfast broadband?
Posted on 6 Nov 2009 at 15:14
The Country Land & Business Association (CLA) was so sure the Government was underplaying the issue that it asked individuals and businesses to come forward if they couldn’t receive broadband: 1,200 did precisely that. And they weren’t people living only in remote areas such as the Scottish Highlands; they include businesses on the outskirts of major towns and cities.
Where connections dribble down at dial-up speeds, users are faced with the demoralising image of even the Spartan Google homepage slowly drawing across the screen
Where connections dribble down at dial-up speeds, users are faced with the demoralising image of even the Spartan Google homepage slowly drawing across the screen. Web 2.0 sites such as YouTube and Facebook are a write-off. Businesses, meanwhile, have to wait for hours just to download and submit forms that the Government wants us to fill out online, such as tax returns.
For those working in rural areas, performing basic tasks such as updating a website can involve a long journey. Former Apprentice star Claire Young now runs a wedding venue business in the North of England, but she told PC Pro how she often has to get in the car just to find a connection. “I have a [mobile broadband] dongle, which I do use as an emergency measure, but it’s incredibly slow,” she said. “It’s ridiculous: you have to drive five miles to a field and some sheep just to send an email.”
The Government has pledged to bring universal 2Mbits/sec connections to the entire country by 2012 as part of its Digital Britain plans. However, there are already concerns that Digital Britain has stalled, not least because of the changeover of Communications Minister.
With estimates varying between 10-20% of the population who currently have connection speeds below 2Mbits/sec, the Government (whoever they may be next year) is going to have its work cut out if that target is going to be met.
Author: Barry Collins
From around the web
I am in rural highlands of Scotland, I can see my exchange from my window, I still only get 512k connection speeds. BT has checked the line for faults, and that's my lot. Roll on "digital Britain", or at least fewer Windows updates. Try downloading XP SP3 with that speed!
By TiredGeek on 6 Nov 2009 
To TiredGreek
yes 512K is slow, however is was only 5 years ago when most people would of thought 512K fast.
Keeping broadband slow in rural areas is keeping the 'working on the net from home' crowd away. Who needs the overpaid buying up all the houses as 2nd or 3rd holiday homes.
By Tibbs on 8 Nov 2009
Virgin cap "Draconian"
Virgin caps users who download more than 3.5Gb in a 4 hour period and then limit them to 2Gb /hr -how is this draconian?
By milliganp on 8 Nov 2009
Tire Greek
If you want fast speed then move away from rural Scotland as it's also likewise crazy to expect a regional hospital or university on your doorstep.
By robbiemca on 9 Nov 2009
Tire Greek
If you want fast speed then move away from rural Scotland as it's also likewise crazy to expect a regional hospital or university on your doorstep.
By robbiemca on 9 Nov 2009
Party like it's 1999
It's encouraging to see that comms companies have learned the lesson of 1999 and stopped imagining new applications that will justify over-investing in back-haul capacity precisely where it's least needed. Multiscreen TV, my eye. Buy Cisco and Corning shares.
By antevans on 10 Nov 2009
Slow Progress
It's take 8 years AND a buyout by Cable & Wireless for my broadband to go from 512K to 2MB, costing £24.99 a month excluding line rental. * Meg is the fastest we can get and that's £79.99!
By Stonedecroze on 17 Nov 2009
Slow Progress - edited
That's 8Meg, not *Meg! I should also point out I live in Guernsey.
By Stonedecroze on 17 Nov 2009
Klem
I am just about to move house from an area served by Virgin where I have a basic package at the 10 Meg speed (whilst my other half watches a movie on cable TV) to an ADSL area, where the online tool suggests that the best I will get is 3.5 and I know it will generally be a fraction of that. Currently downloading the latest Ubuntu release is long as a reasonable coffee break.
I work from home. I regard the lack of progress by BT (mainly) and the government (a close second) as scandalous and negligent. It costs me money.
It is about time that that the self serving barriers to improvement were dealt with.
By kaneclem on 29 Nov 2009
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