At last! Broadband for all in the UK.

[Tarka Dal]

Gordon Brown has said Labour plans to give every home in the UK access to super-fast broadband.
In a speech, the prime minister called high-speed web access "the electricity of the digital age" which "must be for all - not just for some".


BBC News - Gordon Brown's super-fast broadband for all plan

 

[mitchell65]

Was there talk a little while ago about the BBC having to subsidise the installation of the necessary new cabling from the Licence Fee?

 

[severedsolo]

yes that was one of the ideas being floated, as well as a 50p/month "broadband tax" i welcome this move, but its "section 17" of this bill which troubles me, cutting off suspected illegal filesharers with almost no evidence

 

[mitchell65]

But I think that will be the last resort. It was suggested that a "number" of warnings would be issues first. Mind you when you look at the total estimated loss to the revenue for unpaid tax on illegally downloaded media this would build a couple of new hospitals every year.

BTW I see the Rep icon is missing from this thread!

 

[mitchell65]

We all pay for everything. When a government of whatever color talks of spending money it comes from our pockets one way or another.

 

[manhunter2826]

Looks like UK might be competing soon enough with South Korea's excellent broadband and cable infrastructure

 

[wullthebull]

why should I have to pay 50p per month for other ppl to get broadband ??? do as I do and buy it !!!! if gordon brown want all the ppl to have fast broadband ,then let him an his goverment supply it . this is another tax on the ppl . ok some might say its only 50p ,but 50 p a month is not on . what about ppl without a land line they dont have to pay . its as bad as the works parking tax in nottingham to fund a stupid tram service. I certainly know who iam voting for come may , local and election . power to the ppl !!!!!

 

[Pixelpro]

Gordon Brown has said Labour plans to give every home in the UK access to super-fast broadband.
In a speech, the prime minister called high-speed web access "the electricity of the digital age" which "must be for all - not just for some".


BBC News - Gordon Brown's super-fast broadband for all plan

Wahoo! even though i have fiber-optic make it faster brown >

 

[jimbo45]

Hi there

My take on all this is if people want High Speed (20 MB) Broadband why should OTHERS such as UK Pensioners (the UK state Pension is probably the LOWEST in W.Europe) have to subsidise this.

Why can't people who CONSUME these services pay for them --after all I wouldn't put High speed Broadband on a "Can't do without" category.

Things like Healthcare and Education can be argued about who should pay and what degree of involvement a Central Government should be concerned with but Broadband definitely comes into a "Consumers Choice" category.

Nice to have of course - but should be funded by the people who WANT the service.

In the UK I suspect an Election is in the offing and it looks like the incumbent government is making last minute Bribes to an already highly sceptical electorate.

As an observer who is currently on Contract in the UK I'm actually looking foreward the debate as it's often much more interesting to view the whole thing as part of an unbiased outsider.

Cheers
jimbo

 

[z3r010]

If people want super fast broadband then they should move somewhere it's available and not expect me to subsidise their new connection

 

[Tews]

It's only fair all children should have the same access to the internet. They are the future and they require Broadband to keep up with technology etc. What difference does it make that your taxed to cover this option.

If you're the one paying the tax, it makes a huge difference...

 

[z3r010]

It's only fair all children should have the same access to the internet.

I'll pay for my child and they can pay for theirs, if people cant afford stuff for their kids then they shouldn't have them rather than just spitting them out and expecting the state and ultimately me to foot the bill.

 

[Tarka Dal]

It's only fair all children should have the same access to the internet. They are the future and they require Broadband to keep up with technology etc. What difference does it make that your taxed to cover this option.

If you're the one paying the tax, it makes a huge difference...

I will pay this tax gladly. I've got no children but I do advocate for them.


@z3r010

Good point Z. But, unless we can castrate all the wasters in the world we are not going to get anywhere on this point!

 

[Tews]

It's only fair all children should have the same access to the internet.

I'll pay for my child and they can pay for theirs, if people cant afford stuff for their kids then they shouldn't have them rather than just spitting them out and expecting the state and ultimately me to foot the bill.

+1

 

[mitchell65]

Good point Z. But, unless we can castrate all the wasters in the world we are not going to get anywhere on this point!

No there's an interesting thought. Trouble is who will decide who gets the chop? Probably a politician who is automatically a waster in my book!

 

[kronckew]

labour has promised everyone will have 2 mb. broadband by 2012. i am on an 8 mb tariff but only get 2mb-ish as we are too far from the exchange, also depends on weather, temperature, whims of the gods. faster broadband will be rolled out to the city folks 1st as it's easier. i probably won't live long enough to see fibre optic...

of course labour will likely not be in government after the upcoming election.

 

[johnwillyums]

I agree with Jimbo. This is political.
Gordon Brown needs to put some space between his Government and the Opposition and "IT" stuff is sexy.
I also agree that broadband connectivity is not on the must have list like healthcare/police etc.
I suppose you could make some argument about making Britain competitive in the 21st Century maybe.
Or maybe it's a long term plan to deal with the "elderly population explosion".
I was without a connection for three weeks a few weeks ago and made use of the free computers/broadband at the local library.
I'm no spring chicken at 56 but everyone else seemed to be older than me and they were spending hours in there surfing.
In this country you get a free bus pass at 60 and you can go anywhere in the country for nothing. Why not have a choice-bus pass or broadband for pensioners.
At least then the buses wouldn't be so crowded with old gimmers:devil:

 

[RST101]

So many heartless people round here. Talk about not having compassion.

Anyway back to subject.

There is no way on earth this master plan of his will ever work in conjunction with the other master plan they have devised. It's either one or the other.

They are trying to draft in measures that will see repeat accusations(x3 no proof needed) of copyright infringment and you will be cut off. So please can someone tell me how this is going to work because for the life of me I can't figure it out.

Maybe there's an election coming up hey.

 

[Tarka Dal]

The Idea of free bus passes for the over 65's is that the elderly are not blocking up the roads so we can all get to where we are going. (Nowhere of course).

 

[severedsolo]

So many heartless people round here. Talk about not having compassion.

Anyway back to subject.

There is no way on earth this master plan of his will ever work in conjunction with the other master plan they have devised. It's either one or the other.

They are trying to draft in measures that will see repeat accusations(x3 no proof needed) of copyright infringment and you will be cut off. So please can someone tell me how this is going to work because for the life of me I can't figure it out.

Maybe there's an election coming up hey.

thats the point i was making, how in the same bill can they declare Broadband a human right, and then say they will cut people off?

back to the point in hand, it should be noted that by "super fast" he means 2mb... as approximately 20% of the uk still cant get broadband (and lets face it, its not exactly a huge country)