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The trial starts next month and will help prepare the so-called “Max” service, which offers speeds of up to 8Mbps (megabits per second).

BT’s broadband network currently offers download speeds of up to 2Mbps.

The telecoms giant is lagging behind some of its rivals which have already started offering much faster connection speeds of up 24Mbps.

BT said it was committed to ensuring that everyone could take advantage of the “broadband revolution” wherever they live in the UK.

BT gears up for ‘max’ broadband

Point Topic’s World Broadband Statistics for mid-2005 show a number of clear trends:

• The growth in the number of broadband lines worldwide is levelling off
• Europe is pushing to take over the leadership of broadband growth
• Russia and India are making significant appearances on the broadband scene at last
• “Cable ethernet??? is growing rapidly as a technology solution in many countries.

EU Commission warned of the consequences to the European content and new media industry if proposed plans to update the TVWF Directive with a new Audio Visual Content Directive go ahead

Intellect and the Broadband Stakeholder Group (BSG) have today issued a joint plea to the EU Commission, asking it to withdraw its commitment to publish a draft Audio Visual Content Directive by the end of the year. The trade association for the UK hi-tech industry and the Government’s advisory group on broadband consider the proposed approach to policy regulation to be totally unworkable, and an attempt by the EU to regulate the internet via the backdoor.

Press release in full

Industry research results

BSG responds to the Proposals for Revision of Television Without Frontiers Directive Consultation on Issues Papers.

BSG response in full

BSG’s response to Ofcom on next Generation Networks: Further Consultation

Industry Report provides first clear snapshot of the UK’s convergence readiness

According to a report, launched today by Intellect the trade association for the UK hi-tech industry, the UK has the potential to become a world leader in convergence, but only if Government, industry and regulators take steps to accelerate the progress made to date.

‘Capitalising on Convergence’, which was developed in conjunction with industry leaders from across the broadcast, consumer electronics, content, telecoms and IT industries, assesses how ready the UK is to exploit the full social and economic value of convergence. Currently the UK scores 5/10 across a set of six key enablers; Regulation, Commercial, Infrastructure, Content, Devices and Consumers. This score reflects the significant process made to date, and the scale of the challenge ahead.

Intellect predicts that this score puts the UK on course for full convergence readiness (10/10) by 2012. However, the authors believe that the UK has the potential to accelerate this process by two to three years. This would enable the UK to leap frog its competitors and become a world leader in the exploitation of convergence; delivering real value to UK consumers through an un-paralleled choice of content, services and applications, and real value to the economy through increased investment, the development of a highly skilled workforce, and growth of a strong and healthy converged industry.

The report has identified three key barriers to more rapid progress, and made recommendations to help speed the process; according to the report we must –

• Create a more converged industry – With greater levels of dialogue and cooperation between stakeholders across the value chain.
• Create a more converged Government – With a better understanding of the implications of convergence.
• Create more converged regulation – Regulation that takes account of and supports the transition towards digital convergence.

Commenting on the Report, John Higgins, Intellect’s Director General said; “The UK’s strengths in telecoms, IT and the creative industries have given us a head start on our global convergence competitors. However, these competitors are moving at pace, and most are focused on the convergence prize. This term of Government therefore represents a critical juncture. We can sit back and begin to feel the social and economic value of convergence from 2012 onwards, or we can accelerate the process within this term of Government, secure our place as a world leader, and reap the full socio economic benefits as our reward.???

In addition to identifying the three key barriers to more rapid progress, the report also identified six key convergence enablers; Regulation, Commercial, Infrastructure, Content, Devices and Consumers. A gap analysis was conducted across each area and the findings highlight key outcomes which industry believe must be achieved if we are to reach 10/10 complete convergence readiness.

Concluding Higgins said; “Intellect firmly believes that widespread digital engagement will be critical to the UK”s ability to become a knowledge economy. We are wholly committed to working in partnership with the various stakeholders to enable increased digital engagement within the UK. Through the publication of this Report we hope to inform the debate, and provide recommendations which will enable the UK to successfully capitalize on convergence.???

Capitalising on Convergence – Delivering Value and Driving Growth in a Digitally Converged World

Publication of Sophisticated broadband services report for the Department of Trade and Industry

This document is the first report of the study commissioned to Analysys by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) to examine the market for sophisticated broadband services across the G7 (Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, UK and USA), Australia, Ireland, South Korea and Sweden.

This report summarises Analysys’s findings on the performance of these countries regarding both the availability (coverage) and usage of sophisticated broadband services.

The availability (coverage) data is estimated at the end of the first quarter of 2005. The usage data is estimated to the end of 2004. The coverage findings are based on a sample of 211 fixed and mobile broadband infrastructure operators identified across the 11 countries under study. Coverage results are provided for asymmetric, symmetric and mobile technologies. The usage findings are based on estimates produced by Analysys through reference to free, publicly available data sources.

Two further reports will be produced as part of the study: one in October 2005 and the second in April 2006.

Sophisticated broadband services report, 11 June 2005

Sophisticated broadband services report, October 2005

The Ofcom Consumer Panel has today [ 10 May 2005 ] published its research report: “Consumers and the communications market: where we are now” – along with key findings, plus focus documents on national and consumer segments.

This report details the findings from the market research project commissioned by the Consumer Panel into the current residential consumer and SME experience of the communications market. This will be an annual survey to assess changing consumer concerns year on year, and will be used by the Consumer Panel to inform its work in a number of areas.

The research focused on the residential consumer and SME experience of telecommunications (fixed and mobile), the internet (including broadband) and (for consumers only) broadcasting – including digital switchover – and use of technology.

The two key objectives for the research are to establish:

• What is the level of consumer knowledge regarding what is going on in the communications market and the choices/ alternatives they have now and will have in the future?
• What is the current consumer experience in the communications market?

The LSE has recently completed a major 2-year study investigating the behaviour of 9-19 year olds online.

The final report ‘UK Children Go Online: Final report of key project findings’ contains a number of recommendations for government and industry.

‘UK Children Go Online’ – Final report published today, 28 April 2005

It has been announced today (25 April 2005) that the Scottish Executive have now awarded the contract to provide basic broadband services in the non-commercial parts of Scotland, in line with their commitment to bring broadband to every community in Scotland by the end of December. After an open procurement process, the contract has been awarded to BT.

The Scottish Executive, enterprise agencies and ERDF funds will contribute £16.5M of a total project value of about £30M over a 5 year contract which will result in the enabling of 378 exchanges in the Highlands and Islands and other rural areas. Some of these exchanges will get Exchange Activate.

Scottish Executive News

BSG welcomes Government announcement on a Digital Strategy for the UK

The Prime Minister’s Strategy Unit has published a digital strategy for the UK. The strategy sets out the crucial role that information and communication technology will have for our future prosperity, and addresses the digital divide which currently excludes some groups from benefiting from access to the internet. The strategy is a joint piece of work with the Department of Trade and Industry.

Intellect and the BSG led an industry delegation to No 10 today where the strategy was launched. The BSG has been asked to play a detailed role in the implementation of the strategy.

Press release in full: Government and industry take steps to close the digital divide

Consultation document: Better Policy Making: Ofcom’s approach to Impact Assessments

BSG response to consultation

Spectrum Framework Review Implementation Plan

Ofcom published its Spectrum Framework Review (SFR) in November 2004. This extends and consolidates earlier publications relating to spectrum management, especially those making it possible for licensees to buy and sell spectrum in the market (“spectrum trading???) and reducing or removing unnecessary restrictions and constraints on spectrum use (“spectrum liberalisation???).

The Spectrum Framework Review Implementation Plan was published in January 2005 and was open to public consultation until 24 March. This document addresses how the vision for spectrum management set out in the SFR can be implemented in two key areas. It meets Ofcom’s commitment to provide a “roadmap??? for these changes in spectrum management.

Ofcom hosted a seminar on 16 March 2005 for Intellect and BSG members to explore the commercial opportunities which new spectrum awards will create for businesses in the UK and examine how best to facilitate the delivery of this new framework in practice.

Ofcom Spectrum Framework Review Implementation Plan

Singapore is the world’s top economy in exploiting global IT developments, according to the World Economic Forum’s Global Information Technology Report. The US ceded its top spot and dropped to fifth place, while the Nordic countries continued their impressive track record. Asia performed extremely well this year, as did Estonia, South Africa and Israel in their respective regions. The UK is ranked in 12th place.

WEF Report on Global Information Technology

International Broadband Market Comparisons Update, 2004 (DTI, Ovum)