The former national technology officer at Microsoft UK has said that the Digital Britain report is proposing to tax the companies that it says it wishes to support whilst throwing billions of pounds at the country’s older businesses.
Following his departure from Microsoft following 12 years of service, Jerry Fishenden is now questioning whether broadband users will be encourage to take up the latest technology by being taxed for the broadband they currently use and has said that he is puzzled by the whole report.
He said “I suspect many people will opt for their mobile phones. A lot will depend on what content they can get from fixed broadband.”
Amongst the many plans that were announced by Stephen Carter, the communications minister last week were plans b the government to extend broadband access to all homes at a speed of 2Mbps or more by 2012 with the help of £200 million that will be left over from the television broadcasting digital switchover and the same amount from the industry.
He also announced that the speed of the UK’s broadband network would be partly paid for by introducing a $6 per year tax on fixed wire phone lines.
By 2017 the government is looking to provide 90 percent of the UK with “superfast” broadband access and Fishenden, like many other experts, is questioning whether the new tax, which is set to raise between £175 million and £250 million will be enough.
In order to install fibre to the cabinet (FTTC), which would provide speeds of between 40Mbps and 50Mbps, the Broadband Stakeholder Group, a supplier-led lobby group, have estimated its cost at around £5.1 billion.
The ability of the UK’s core infrastructure to cope either now or in the future with the increase in bandwidth demands was something that Fishenden seriously doubted.
The need for either superfast or high-speed constantly was required by very few people according to Fishenden.
He said “When I want to download a high definition film I want all the bandwidth so that I can get the content in five seconds. But I don’t need it after that, while I am watching the film.”
Source – www.computerweekly.com
