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 include:
  
  
• 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. Achieving Best Practice in Your Business is a key theme within DTI's approach to business support. More information regarding the Government's Achieving Best Practice products can be obtained from www.dti.gov.uk/bestpractice

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 Documents

Broadband International Market Comparisons Report April 2004  (278 Kb)
Research Commisioned by the Department of Trade and Industry from Analysis Consulting Ltd, in the rest of the G7 countries. The key findings for this document are updated six-monthly.

Rural Broadband Toolkit  (532 Kb)
A toolkit to help rural communities and businesses understand the issues surrounding access to broadband.

South Dundas Economic Impact Study (323 Kb)

The Government of  Ofcom Response to the BSG Third Annual Report and Strategic Recommendations (2004)  (239 Kb)

Third Annual Report Strategic Recommendations of the Broadband Stakeholder Group (BSG) 
The Broadband Stakeholder Group's (BSG), third annual report on the development of Broadband in the UK.  The report provides the definitive view of progress made in 2003 before warning that there is much more to do to enable a broadband in Britain.

UK Broadband Status Report  (196 Kb)
Research Commissioned by the Department of Trade and Industry from Analysys Consulting Ltd, for the Broadband Market in the UK.  The key findings of this research are updated quarterly.

UK National Broadband Strategy 2004  (361 Kb)
This paper, prepared by the Department of Trade and Industry, provides a brief overview of the position of and prospects for broadband in the UK.

UK National Broadband Strategy 2003 (361 Kb)

 
Working together to Build Broadband Britain Workshop - 16 March 2004 (361 Kb)
Final Workshop Report and Recommendations from the workshop held in London, Tuesday 16 March 2004'

Partnership workshop action plan 19 May 2004 final (361 Kb)

Working Together to Build Broadband Britain - Action Plan'

Speaker Slides and Ministerial Comments
To view the slides and the Ministerial Comments from Stephen Timms (DTI) and Alun Micheal (Defra) click here

Broadband

Broadband Facts and Figures (105 Kb)


Broadband Progress National and International Research  (105 Kb)

Contact Details for Enquiries (58 Kb)

FAQs (151 Kb)

Government Policy (178 Kb)
 
Publications (103 Kb)

Recent Broadband Press Releases 2004   (88 Kb)

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