NTL semantically challenged

El Reg has been sent a copy of one of ntl's marketing brochures - speed, power and control...introducing ntl broadband internet.

And it makes interesting reading.

Apparently, with ntl broadband internet you just "click on your browser and www.woooosh, you're away".

Sounds terrific, doesn't it - especially since the cableco's "entry-level" broadband package starts as low as £14.99 a month.

Less than fifteen quid a month for broadband? That's brilliant, you say.

Hang on a mo, what's the catch?

There is none, apparently. According to ntl, the fact that it's an "always on" "flat fee" service is enough to give it the handle of "broadband". The fact that this "entry-level" broadband service only delivers speeds of up to 64 Kbps is neither here nor there.

Enterprising cynics argue that ntl may have just hit upon something here. If the Government, through its telecoms mouthpiece Oftel, were to change the definition of broadband to include all unmetered Net access, the country's broadband problem would be solved at a stroke.

By simply moving the goal posts there'd be millions of "broadband" users and the Government could puff out its chest with pride saying that its policy to make Broadband Britain a centre of excellence had been achieved.

Then again, if you're a bit more of a purist and reckon this "entry-level" broadband service from ntl is a flat-rate narrowband dial-up service in disguise (now you mention it, take away that false moustache and glasses...) then you might just feel a little bit misled. ®