UK Broadband Feeling Recession Effects

Next Generation Communications Blog

UK Broadband Feeling Recession Effects

It appears that the global economic malaise is not sparing the UK broadband market.
 
In April of this year, Point-Topic predicted an additional 800,000 broadband lines would be deployed in the latter half of 2008.
 
But now, according to Tim Johnson, chief analyst at Point Topic, those numbers are down.
 
"We're now forecasting that only 620,000 broadband lines will be added in the second half of 2008," Johnson said. "The forecast for 2009 as a whole is 1.1 million, 200,000 down on the earlier forecast."
 
"To keep on track Britain needed to add 390,000 broadband lines in the July to September quarter. We estimate that the actual number was only 313,000 - 20% down on the target," added Johnson.
 
Practically speaking, this means that fewer people in the UK will be making the upgrade from dial-up lines and according to Point Topic's numbers, "about 240,000 more homes will be without any kind of Internet access at end-2009."
 
Which of course puts somewhat of a damper on the proliferation of next-generation broadband services, even in businesses who will be loath to spend any extra capital on the investment in higher-speed access to the Internet.
 
Point Topic also points out that the recession and its effect on broadband deployment will have adverse consequences vis a vis government programs that would ensure that all school children are able to access the Internet at broadband speeds.
 
For more visit Point Topic online.


Featured Events