BBC backs better broadband to prevent digital divide

BBC BACKS BETTER BROADBAND TO PREVENT DIGITAL DIVIDE
[SOURCE: Financial Times, AUTHOR: Maija Palmer]
The BBC is throwing its weight behind Ofcom, the communications watchdog, in pushing for a faster broadband network to be built across Britain. Ashley Highfield, the BBC’s director for future media and technology, said he was concerned that without a next-generation network, Britain would face a “digital divide” between people with fast access to the Internet and those without. “I don't want a two-tier Britain where urban wealthy people can access high-quality Internet content at 50 megabits per second and there is a rural, disenfranchised poor,” he said. “Anything that can be done to advance the next-generation broadband build-out will be good for Britain.” Earlier this year, Ofcom called for the telecommunications industry to invest in a new Internet network ­ replacing old copper cables ­ which would allow much faster connection speeds and more complex services to be offered. Telecoms operators have been reluctant to begin such a project, however, as the cost is expected to be more than £15bn.
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/85ab6626-aa78-11dc-a779-0000779fd2ac.html
(requires subscription)