Debate over rich media capacity 'necessary'

Category: Rich Media

April 24th 08, 10:02

The question of how to fund improvements in broadband infrastructure needs to be discussed, one industry expert has asserted.

Following a call from internet service provider Tiscali for the BBC to help fund broadband upgrades to support its popular iPlayer service, the editor of thinkbroadband.com has suggested that all interested parties need to take part in a comprehensive debate over the issues.

Andrew Ferguson said: "One potential idea would be for them to contribute to a broadband universal service obligation fund to bring higher speed broadband to areas where commercially led ventures refuse to go."

Tiscali claimed that the BBC should pay for improvements to broadband infrastructure, as the number of users accessing its iPlayer service subjected the network to undue strain.

Telecoms regulator Ofcom asserts that between £400 million and £830 million could be needed over the next five years to provide the capacity necessary to support rich media services such as web video and on-demand television.

This news story was brought to you by Bluhalo, a leading UK digital agency.

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