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04|12|08

A faster online future

Ofcom is also working hard to ensure that UK consumers will enjoy the full benefits of the next generation of broadband.

Super-fast broadband is a fibre-based technology which could change how we live and work.

These fibre networks are one of the most exciting developments in communications for many years.

To put it in context, at the moment most broadband is delivered via copper wires – giving customers headline speeds of around 8 megabits per second (Mbps).

Fibre-optic

But upgrading these wires to fibre-optic cables could increase speeds to up to 100 Mbps, which would mean faster downloads and give people the ability to talk to friends and relatives via video links.

Families would be able to perform several different tasks at once – such as internet downloading, gaming over the web or watching movies on high-definition TV.

Our latest super-fast broadband consultation – launched in September – included proposals to make it easier and more attractive for firms to invest in rolling-out fibre-optic technology.

Consultation

For example, we want the industry to set its own rates of return – a move which we believe will speed up investment in super-fast broadband.

Our consultation closed on Tuesday and we will now consider the responses before publishing a further statement next spring.

In the meantime, you can also join in the debate on our super-fast broadband blog.

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