Huge growth predicted for mobile broadband
January 29, 2010 at 3:57 pm
CCS Insight, which provides global analysis and market information for the mobile sector, is predicting that mobile broadband in Europe will see a huge explosion in growth over the next few years. It has released a report entitled ‘Mobile Broadband in Europe, 4Q09’, which states that by 2011 mobile broadband revenue and subscriber numbers will nearly double across the continent.
There are currently 22 million mobile broadband subscribers in Europe, but the report predicts that this is likely to go up to 43 million by 2011. It also shows that revenues will rise from less than $9 billion at the moment to over $16.5 billion.
The report suggests that these figures are very likely as long as the industry provides the right level of investment. It also states that both customers and operators are going to benefit from the growth and the increased level of competition.
According to the report, France and Spain are going to see the biggest growth in the number of subscribers, even though they currently have the lowest mobile broadband penetration. It also revealed that the UK is the cheapest place for mobile broadband at the moment, compared to Germany and France which are the most expensive.
The managing director at CCS Insight, Shaun Collins, said that “we expect to see not only growth, but also changes in the dynamic across Europe”.
With cheap deals, ever-increasing speeds and almost complete access anywhere in the country, it is easy to see why mobile broadband is such an unstoppable force at the moment.
Free laptops and broadband for most deprived schoolchildren
January 22, 2010 at 4:10 pm
The government has announced that schoolchildren from the least advantaged households in the country will be able to benefit from a new scheme where they will receive a free laptop and broadband. 270,000 families across England will benefit from the Home Access Scheme, which is set to cost in the region of £300 million.
The scheme was first announced back in 2008, but it has faced many delays and has only now been launched. It has already been piloted in two areas, Oldham and Suffolk, where it has proved a success. The children in poorer homes and in care across England will now be able to apply for a grant for a free laptop and broadband to help them with their studies.
One of the main aims is to help reduce the gap in achievement between the rich and the poor at school. It is now widely accepted that computers are not just an added bonus for the most affluent pupils, but are an essential piece of kit for the education process.
Ed Balls, the Children’s Secretary, said that the families most in need “cannot be left behind in the digital revolution”, adding that the UK is “leading the world” in its use of technology in the learning process. He said that computers are now an essential part of education.
Families will be able to keep the laptop permanently, but the broadband will only be paid for the first year. After that the families can decide whether they want to start paying for their connection. Any families with children from 7 to 14 can apply for the grant, and the priority will be children with special needs and those in care.
UK one of worst performers for broadband speed
January 15, 2010 at 2:33 pm
The UK has come near the bottom in a table showing the average broadband speeds in a number of countries, as revealed in a recent Ofcom report carried out by the OECD (Organization of Economic Co-operation and Development).
The report, titled the ‘International Communications Market Report’, showed the UK coming in 21st position out of a total of 30 countries.
The report revealed how only 10% of UK connections receive speeds of over 8Mbps, compared to 26% in France, 33% in Sweden and 37% in The Netherlands. The figures will put more pressure on the government in its bid to provide speeds of 2Mbps for everyone in the UK by 2012.
The top performers were Japan, Finland and Sweden, with the bottom three places occupied by Belgium, Turkey and Mexico.
On the plus side, prices for broadband are comparatively low in the UK. Since 2003, prices have decreased by 10.1% and now average £16 a month. This compares to £20 a month in the United States, £23 a month in Italy and £25 a month in Spain.
The availability of 3G and HSPA (High Speed Packet Access) technology is also at one of the highest levels in the world. 3G has 93% availability and HSPA has 91%. France, in comparison, has 77% for both and Germany 85% for both.
But the UK was only 13th in terms of broadband penetration, beaten by countries including Denmark, Sweden and Finland, so there is more to do in this area. Overall, the report reveals that there are still big improvements to be made in terms of UK broadband.
Broadband tax confirmed
January 8, 2010 at 1:48 pm
The new broadband tax has finally been confirmed in the pre-Budget report, meaning that as from next year all homes with a fixed phone line will be liable for a new 50p-a-month (£6-a-year) tax. The tax had long been anticipated as a part of the Digital Britain Report, despite loud opposition from some quarters.
The money raised from the tax will be used to fund the development of faster broadband speeds in rural areas. These areas are more likely to miss out on getting standard access to fast broadband because it is not commercially viable for the broadband companies.
The Chancellor Alistair Darling said that as a result of the tax, super-fast broadband would be available to 90% of the country by the end of 2017. He said that the government is “modernising the UK’s digital infrastructure” and that the tax would “help extend the opportunities of the broadband network to more remote communities”. He also claimed that thousands of jobs would be created.
But despite the benefits that have been claimed, criticism is rife in many quarters. Some say that the £170 million it is expected to raise each year will simply not be enough to make any fundamental difference. Indeed, BT has estimated that £5 billion is a more realistic number. The Conservatives have also pledged to scrap the tax so it might not be around for very long anyway.
Which? also revealed that some households which have more than one fixed landline could end up paying a double tax of £12 a year. This would apply to people who have one phone line for their phone connection and one for their broadband connection.
