Government to provide 7.5 million internet connections by 2014

  • March 4, 2010

Government has admitted that it would be quite impractical to provide basic internet service to 12.5 million users by 2014 spring. This original target has now been revised to 7.5 million as ‘not yet connected are likely to be much harder to attract’, according to Stephen Timms, the Minister for Digital Britain.

“Being online is crucial for participation in the 21st Century society – the Internet unlocks a wealth of information and services, giving people more choice in life and access to a range of education, health and financial opportunities.” he said.

Despite total fixed line broadband connections in the UK has reached over 17.7 million, the net additions continue to decline on quarterly basis, show Ofcom’s Telecommunications Market Data Tables for the first two quarters of 2009.

In Q1 2009, the new connections for the quarter stood at 281,000 (2.1% decline comparing to previous quarter). The quarterly net additions for Q2 2009 fell even sharper to 182,000.Comparing to the previous year, the net additions also fell in year 2009 by 6.9%.

In UK, around 65% of homes have their own broadband connections while the broadband penetration among UK businesses has grown sharply in recent years, latest surveys suggest.

Despite the steady growth in numbers, more than six million low income UK population cannot afford to broadband so never used it, according to Martha Lane Fox, the government’s appointed Champion for Digital Inclusion. Her campaign, the Race Online 2012 is looking for ways to get this section of people online within next two years.

Last month, the UK government confirmed the launch of its £300m Home access programme that will provide 270,000 poor families with free laptops and internet connection while the scheme received mixed reactions from users and analysts.

UK broadband ISP services are among the cheapest, comparing to other broadband developed nations, yet, the annual growth rate of broadband uptake in the UK has become slower in last two years, just as revealed by the recent quarterly numbers of major services providers.