Issues before Next Generation broadband roll out and Digital Britain

The deployment of next generation broadband networks in the UK should be over by 2012, according to the earlier plans and the Digital Britian report released in June. After completion, the new broadband service will offer super-fast broadband connetion to every household in the UK. However, this ultra project seems to be ridden with funding issues as the main question remains unanswered – how this nation-wide deployment will get funds?

Digital Britain report proposed a few broadband tax plans to fund the super-fast broadband network. One of them is to levy £6-a-year on phone bills of the broadband users. This fund will help upgrade the existing copper lines to fibre optic broadband lines which are capable of delivering 50Mbps or more. As for building new cable networks, the Digital Britain suggested 50p per month tax to be levied on phone users. Interestingly, both these controversial tax plans are yet to be approved by the government. The bill is likely to be passed in parliament during this autumn session.

Lord Carter, the outgoing Communications minister and the driving force behind the ‘Digital Britain’ will leave his office soon and Stephen Timms, who will take over as the new communications minister has many uphill tasks before him. First he needs to successfully get these tax plans approved in parliament.

Digital report has proposed to setup an independent body last month, that would monitor the next generation broadband roll out. However, till date, there was no progress in this regard. Secondly, the consultation for broadband tax plan which is due next month has shown no signs of kick start.

Digital report has also revealed many strategies to curb illegal file sharing or online piracy by 70 % such as giving pre-warnings to the suspected individuals or taking solid actions like reducing download speeds of the offenders etc. However, to implement this system, ISPs and the media industry should agree for a code of practice, moreover, this needs an active role of telecom regulator Ofcom and the UK legislators.

Guardian reports that there were no meetings held between media industry and broadband providers in this regard so far, clearing showing a sign of confusion clouding over the entire issue.