VoIP News: February 2008

The UK's love affair with broadband continues to flourish, according to new research published yesterday. The European Competitive Telecommunications Association (Ecta) released figures which show that while the take-up rate for broadband is slowing across Europe, there is still significant and continuous growth across the sector, with the UK one of the strongest contributors. UK internet access rose in 2007 to 67 per cent from 63 percent in 2006, while households with broadband lines also rose from 44 per cent in 2006 to 57 per cent in 2007.

The government, internet service providers (ISP), content producers and infrastructure firms must work together to ensure that British investment in next generation broadband infrastructure is efficient and effective, an expert has said. Kip Meek, the chairman of advisory body the Broadband Stakeholder Group (BSG), said the government's recently announced consultation on delivering next generation broadband was "not about writing big cheques", but working on how the parties concerned can work together to deliver the right system.

The department for culture, media and sport has announced plans for an independent review to "investigate the path to next-generation broadband" as part of the government's new "action plan" for the creative industries. Business and competitiveness minister Shriti Vadera said that the review would help to prepare the way for the adoption of "ground-breaking technologies" that will change how Britons access government services, information and entertainment.

Small companies could gain from the features offered by voice over internet protocol (VoIP) systems but there is a "long way to go" in developing a wider understanding of its benefits, an industry expert has said. Margaret Hopkins of international management consultant Analysys said VoIP offers businesses "a lot of benefits and cost savings" compared to buying a new phone system and many companies with new offices or homeworkers now adopt VoIP "without a second thought".

The widespread take-up of technology such as broadband internet has allowed carers and people with disabilities to "get back into the work pool" by starting their own online business or working from home for employers, an expert has said. Phil Flaxton, chief executive of Work Wise UK, said without the rollout of broadband and mobile technology, many of these people would be unable to get back into employment.