G7 broadband target eludes UK Govt
PrintDoesn't stop 'em crowing though
Posted in Telecoms, 22nd February 2005 10:49 GMT
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The Government is still trying to hit a key broadband pledge it made four years ago.
In February 2001 the British Government said it wanted the UK to have the most "extensive and competitive broadband" market among leading industrial nations by 2005.
The political commitment was made at a time when the UK was a byword for being one of the slowcoaches of the broadband world.
Yesterday, official stats from Ovum found that while the UK is top of the class for broadband "extensiveness" it still has some way to go before it can be classed as a truly competitive broadband nation.
The Ovum stats show that when it comes to competitiveness, the UK is still playing catch-up behind Japan and Canada.
Still, that wasn't going to stop the Government from taking credit for this partial achievement.
Said eminister Mike O'Brien: "The UK now has the most extensive broadband market in the G7. We said we wanted the UK to be the best place in the world for e-business and, with broadband now available to 96 per cent of households and more than six million people already subscribing, this is fast becoming a reality." ®
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