BBC should pay for next-gen broadband

BBC should pay for next-gen broadband The BBC should be made to pay for the bandwidth it uses, it has been claimed.

According to the former head of Ofcom Lord Carter, the publically funded broadcaster should hand over cash to subsidise the construction of Britain's next generation broadband infrastructure consisting of fibre optic leads run direct to people's homes.

Questioned on his recent Digital Britain report, Lord Carter said, "More and more people get their media from the internet and that usage is doubling every two years."

He added: "Would the [BBC] have a role in this? It would seem to me it would."

The BBC has already said its video on demand service, the iPlayer, will encourage broadband adoption and the broadcaster has announced its intention to create a high-definition version which would increase its bandwidth demands.

Only half of the UK population will benefit from next generation broadband technology installed by BT and Virgin. ADNFCR-1186-ID-19069149-ADNFCR

Last Updated: 11/03/2009 16:25

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