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By Sam Smith Staff Writer
Friday, 19 June 2009
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As MPs continue their fall from grace one MP has been busy trying to fix Britain's digital future, Yes, as you may have heard that Lord Carter's Digital Britain report was finally published this week. It makes for an interesting read...
Zen Launches 20 mbp/s for Free
ZEN internet customers can look forward to 20Mbps broadband services in the near future as Zen plans to upgrade to ADSL2+ technology.
However, the proposed upgrade to BT's 21CN network may take longer than first planned.
A lack of Zen and BT engineer resources as well as the company's decision to keep customers satisfied during the migration means that the upgrade to 20Mbps could take as long as eight months to complete.
BT, though, refuses to take any responsibility for the hold-up. A spokesperson told PC Pro: "If Zen wanted to, it could move all 50,000 of its customers in a couple of months.
"It's not the case that there's not enough engineers. We're processing 90,000 [customers] a month."
ADSL2+ technology can in theory allow speeds of up to 24Mbps. However, Zen estimates that customers will on average obtain download speeds between 9-13Mbps depending on how far they live from the local BT exchange.
Lord Carter's broadband for all by 2012 - but at what cost?
THE much anticipated Digital Britain report was finally published on Friday by Lord Carter, Minister of Communications.
The report is expansive covering burning issues such as broadband speeds, illegal downloading and public service broadcasting.
Speaking about the report, Lord Carter said: "Digital Britain is about capturing the opportunities on offer for UK PLC and the public, and advancing our standing as a world leader in these industries."
However, many experts have been left questioning the proposed 'broadband tax' for all landline users.
Households that include a landline will be subject to a 50p a month tax to help fund the rollout of fibre optic broadband in the UK. It is estimated that this would raise around £170m, but to put fibre optic broadband into 40% of Britain's homes BT needs to raise £1.5bn.
Can't Give it Away
UNFORTUNATELY for Lord Carter, research this week has revealed that 43% of adults who do not currently have an internet connection would choose to remain disconnected even with the offer of a free PC and broadband connection.
The study was carried out by the communications watchdog Ofcom.
Interestingly, the study found that of the 43% of adults who don't want the internet, the majority were older or retired, whilst others cited financial reasons.
There are currently 17 million Britons without internet - 30% of the population. However, the study did find that one in five adults without internet plan to get connected in the next six months.
Ofcom's market development partner Peter Philips said: "Broadband is becoming increasingly important to people's ability to participate in the economy and society.
"The report shows that some creativity will be required if we wish to capture the imaginations of those who have yet to engage with the benefits the internet may bring."
This latest report by Ofcom is in stark contrast with a recent broadband report by The Communications Panel that found that 73% of people held broadband to be as important as essential utilities such as gas, electricity and water.
Clearly not everyone is in agreement over the importance of the internet.
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