Author - bsg

11 Oct 2012

Demand for superfast broadband in the UK: a solid start

11 October 2012

Today the UK’s leading broadband advisory body, the Broadband Stakeholder Group (BSG) publishes a report that argues that initial demand for superfast broadband in the UK gives cause for optimism and confidence.

The study brings together public data on superfast broadband demand across various markets and probes headline figures to more fully understand actual consumer willingness to pay for superfast services.  Looking at the data from this new perspective, the report argues that, on the international stage: (more…)

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25 Jul 2012

ISPs launch Open Internet Code of Practice

Update, December 2014:

In the last quarter of 2014, EE, Vodafone and Virgin agreed to become signatories to the Open Internet Code. This is reflected in the list of signatories and contact details in Annex 1.

The updated version of the code can be found at: BSG – Open Internet Code of Practice amended November 2014.

Update, June 2013:

In July 2012, the Open Internet Code was published.  The full press release relating to this launch is set out below.

In May 2013 this code was amended to:

  • Clarify that signatories would not be infringing the code if they deployed content filtering or made available content filtering tools where appropriate for public wi-fi access
  • Publish details of how the voluntary system in support of commitment 2, relating to negative discrimination would operate

This updated code can be accessed here.

 

Original post:

Today leading internet service providers (ISPs) are signing a voluntary code of practice in support of the open internet.

The code commits ISPs to the provision of full and open internet access products and confirms that traffic management practices will not be used to target and degrade the services of a competitor.

This initiative builds on the transparency code of practice published in 2011 which ensures that clear, understandable and comparable information on traffic management practices is available to consumers. (more…)

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16 Mar 2011

BSG attends Open Internet Roundtable

The BSG attended today’s Open Internet Roundtable at the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.

It was a useful discussion and we are pleased that the new industry code of practice on traffic management transparency gained widespread support as a key building block for a properly informed and evidence-based policy discussion about the open internet.

Antony Walker, CEO of the BSG said: “The challenge ahead is to build a common view on how we safeguard the benefits of the open internet whilst also ensuring ongoing investment and innovation. It is important that this is based on the realities of what is happening in the UK market, rather than what is happening elsewhere in the world.???

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14 Mar 2011

Broadband providers launch new traffic management transparency code

New initiative will help consumers and policy makers make informed choices

Update, June 2013:

In March 2011, the BSG published, on behalf of the signatory ISPs, a code of practice on traffic management transparency.  The code can be downloaded here.

The press release accompanying its launch is set out below, explaining the commitment contained in the code.  In accordance with the code signatory ISPs subsequently published Key Facts Indicators in relation to their traffic management policies. Hyperlinks to this information from all signatory ISPs can be found here.

Please note that shortly after the issue of the below press release, EE signed up to the code in March 2011.

The latest version of the code, issued in May 2013, reflects the additional and subsequent signatories of the code: BE, giffgaff, KCOM, PlusNet and Tesco Mobile.

 

Orginal post:

BSkyB, BT, O2, TalkTalk, Three, Virgin Media and Vodafone will today sign up to a new voluntary commitment to provide better and more easily comparable information to consumers about traffic management. Together these companies account for 90% of all fixed-line broadband customers and 60% of all mobile customers in the UK. (more…)

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12 Nov 2010

Richard Hooper appointed as BSG Chairman

Richard Hooper CBE has been appointed as the new non-executive Chairman of the Broadband Stakeholder Group, taking over from Kip Meek.

Richard Hooper has had a long career in the converging worlds of media and communications. He has worked in both broadcasting and telecoms and was Chairman of the Radio Authority and Deputy Chairman of Ofcom 2002-2005. Most recently he led the Independent Review of the Postal Services Sector. (more…)

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31 Oct 2010

BSG responds to DCMS consultation on AVMS implementation

The BSG has submitted its response to the DCMS consultation on the implementation of the AVMS Directive.

Broadly, the BSG makes three key points:

  • clarification is required to ensure that the scope of services covered by the Directive is appropriate, and not too broad
  • existing co- and self-regulatory schemes need to be examined, and industry encouraged to take a leading role in developing any additional co- or self-regulatory schemes
  • the government should revise its view on product placement and consider introducing some of the permitted derogations

BSG response to DCMS consultation on AVMS implementation

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27 Oct 2010

New study highlights potential of wireless and satellite to deliver next generation broadband

The Broadband Stakeholder Group published a new study today by Analysys Mason on the costs and capabilities of wireless and satellite technologies.

The report provides a snapshot view looking forward to 2016 and finds that:

  • Terrestrial wireless can provide a cost effective alternative to fibre in some rural areas, but would require more masts to be built and the use of external antennas on residential buildings
  • Satellite will provide an effective solution for delivering next generation broadband in the hardest to reach locations
  • The release of more spectrum would further reduce the cost and increase the capability of wireless and satellite solutions. (more…)
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30 Sep 2010

BSG sets out views on net neutrality; encourages transparency for consumers

The BSG has been engaged in the recent policy and regulatory debate on net neutrality.

A term not easy to define, our approach has been to focus on what the issues covered by the term actually mean for the development of services on the internet.

This has been demonstrated by the agenda we put together for our conference on 9 September, ‘Quality Time? Meeting consumer expectations with next generation services’. (more…)

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10 Sep 2010

BSG Conference: Quality Time? Meeting consumer expectations for next generation services

The conference was held on 09 September at the Delfina in Southwark, and was supported by Analysys Mason.

In the context of increasing net neutrality policy activity within the UK, the EU, and North America, this conference looked at:

  • Consumer demand for higher-quality internet-based services and applications and the future evolution of these services
  • Technical bottlenecks that get in the way of the delivery of these services to the end-user and potential solutions
  • Commercial challenges and potential solutions to support the delivery of high quality services
  • The regulatory environment required to support the evolution of today’s internet (more…)
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14 Jun 2010

BSG Position Paper on government intervention in NGA released

BSG has released a new position paper, ‘approach to government intervention in the deployment of next generation broadband’.

The paper provides a view on how the new coalition government should think about intervention in the deployment of NGA in the UK. There are many uncertainties and unknowns in the debate, and as the new government develops its broadband policy, it is important that the issues raised in this paper are considered and addressed should the government decide to intervene.

The paper also incorporates BSG’s response to the previous government’s next generation fund consultation, and its review of the fibre cost model.

Download BSG position paper

BIS Consultation on proposals for a Next Generation Fund

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28 May 2010

Will a shift to gesture based computing via tablets and apps help get the final third online? A guest blog

On the day the iPad is launched in the UK, a guest blog from Brian Williamson of Plum Consulting considers what impact a shift to this type of device, with simpler, more intuitive interfaces and utilising mobile connectivity, could have on internet adoption.

“A report by Plum Consulting for Vodafone examines internet use and barriers to use, market changes and policy possible approach to get more people online. In terms of use the report finds that education, workforce participation and age are key considerations in explaining internet use.

Older US citizens are significantly more likely to use the internet than those in Korea or Europe, whilst those in Northern European Countries are significantly more likely to use the internet than their Southern European counterparts (consistent with the level of economic development and education at the time they were at school). (more…)

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23 Mar 2010

BSG and Value Partners publish new White Paper on Broadband Infrastructure

In the debate over the capability of broadband networks, the voice of companies and organisations that offer services and applications over the internet has been lost.

To address this, the Broadband Stakeholder Group (BSG) and Value Partners Management Consulting today launch a White Paper, Broadband Infrastructure: The Service and Application Providers’ View.

This White Paper provides insight into what companies and organisations that offer services and applications over the internet really think about the UK’s broadband infrastructure today and how it might evolve in the future. (more…)

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