Analyst highlights fibre rollout shortfalls

DESPITE THE BOASTS from various UK Internet Service Providers (ISPs) about the roll out of next generation access, it seems most of us are a long way off from seeing the benefits.

According to the latest research by analyst firm Point Topic, currently less than two per cent of the UK population can get access to these super fast Internet connections, and even by 2012 around two-thirds of us still won't.

"One major motivation, for local government for example, is to make sure that their territory is among the first to feel the benefits of having an advanced broadband infrastructure," said Tim Johnson, chief analyst at Point Topic.

"Other reasons to know are if you think house prices might leap where NGA is available, or to develop your strategy for selling broadband products."

This map is based on the latest information from Point Topics. It shows how the demand for broadband is spread, maps the phases of BT's next generation access deployment and shows the projects so far announced by alternative network operators.

"The current plans won't even cover half of the areas of high demand," added Johnson.

The report reckons that those lucky enough to get fibre-to-the-cabinet in their area should be able to see peak downstream speeds of around 40Mbps bandwidth and up to 100Mbps for fibre-to-the-premises installations.

Many have expressed concern over the 'broadband divide' created by those able to access these high speed connections compared with others struggling to get any kind of stable Internet connection at all, let alone the 2Mbps minimum laid out by Lord Carter as part of the Digital Britain project. µ