Most people today connect to the Internet over a phone line, typically using a modem with a speed of 56 kilobits per second. This "narrowband" connection requires users to wait while a dial-up connection is made before they can access the Internet, and means that using the Internet is slow - in fact it is estimated that one third of user time online is spent waiting.

If the UK is to succeed as a world-class place for e-business, public service delivery and online participation, we have to develop a world-class communications infrastructure. Broadband is the term used to describe a wide range of technologies that enable high-speed, always-on access to the Internet and other electronic services. It will play a pivotal role, not just for business, but for people and Government as well. There is no generally agreed definition of broadband. In practice, people see broadband as allowing fast, always-on access to the Internet, which standard dial-up telephone lines cannot provide. Common broadband services could include high-capacity data transfer, video conferencing, video on demand, interactive games and audio, online banking and shopping, local area network (LAN) access and web serving.

There are currently a number of options available for the delivery of broadband. These are:

• asymmetric digital subscriber line (ADSL) technology, which enables an existing telephone line to be upgraded to offer a broadband access connection;
• fibre, which tends to be available in central business districts and trading areas in large population centres. Larger companies in urban areas requiring greater bandwidth normally use it;
• cable, to connect customer premises to a national telecommunications network. Cable operators market broadband services to both the residential and business markets;
• wireless, which allows users to take advantage of cheap, fast Internet and multimedia through radio links rather than down a telephone line;
• satellite, which has the potential to cover the whole of the UK.   

The additional bandwidth provided by a broadband connection allows new services to be delivered to consumers and businesses. Consumers will benefit from video and audio streaming, new forms of interactive entertainment and new ways of learning over the Internet. 

Businesses stand to benefit from productivity improvements by using a range of fast developing business services (see www.ukonlineforbusiness.gov.uk).

Broadband also permits the outsourcing of IT functions, enabling companies to focus on their core business.

You can find the following documents on broadband from these Download Document pages:

New Document

South Dundas Economic Impact Study (323 Kb) 
Research commissioned by the Department of Trade and Industry on the economic impact of broadband in a rural community.

Broadband

Contact Details for Enquiries (58 Kb)

FAQs (151 Kb)

Facts and Figures (82 Kb)

Government Policy (178 Kb)

Press Releases (110 Kb)

Progress in Rolling Out Across the UK (241 Kb)

Publications (103 Kb)

Synopsis of Activity in the English Regions and the Devolved Administrations (494 Kb)