Ofcom chief argues BBC should not pay for broadband improvements

Ofcom chief executive Ed Richards has told MPs that the BBC should not be forced to pay for updating broadband network infrastructure despite rocketing demand for its high-bandwidth iPlayer service.

Speaking at a joint session of the Commons Culture, Media & Sport and Business and Enterprise committees, Mr Richards stated that contributions from content providers could help deliver high-speed broadband before arguing other methods could serve the industry better.

He said: "It is not necessarily the only way it can happen and it is not necessarily the way we would anticipate it will happen. I am not convinced myself that the right answer to that is to get the BBC to pay for the iPlayer."

Instead Mr Richards proposed that internet service providers (ISPs) and consumers should share the financial burden for improved services.

Tiscali and Virgin Media have recently called on the BBC to provide assistance as networks struggle to cope with the number of users flocking to iPlayer and other video sites. Online monitors Hitwise claim there has been a 178 per cent increase in UK visitors over the past 12 months.