The UK Government promises 10Mb/s WiFi for all

The UK Government has just announced that everyone will have the legal obligation for an internet speed of at least 10Mb/s, no matter where they live in the country. This change will happen by 2020, and anyone will be able to contact their Internet Service Provider and ask for a 10Mb/s connection, and the ISP will have to get it for you.

Prime Minister David Cameron said, “Access to the internet shouldn’t be a luxury, it should be a right – it’s absolutely fundamental to life in 21st century Britain. Just as our forbearers effectively bought gas, electricity and water to all, we’re going to bring fast broadband to every home and business that wants it.”

This promise should be taken with a large pinch of salt, however, as the Uk Government doesn’t have a great track record when it comes to promises over broadband: in 2012, the ex-culture secretary Jeremy Hunt said that the UK would have the fastest broadband in Europe by 2015. 2015 is here, and the UK is ranked 21st.

All in all, it’s great to see that, even if the promises aren’t fulfilled, people in power care (or at least seem to care) about giving broadband to all.

Via: | Ars Technica |