The Communications Management Association (CMA) has welcomed
e-minister Douglas Alexander's plans to boost broadband take-up in
the UK.
The e-minister plans to create a broadband market in the UK by
aggregating public sector demand. The CMA described Alexander's
latest words as very encouraging, but called on the government to
extend the plan to industry as well.
Alexander told the Analysys Conference in Cambridge: "The public
sector is the largest single consumer of broadband in the country.
We need to use that purchasing power to leverage growth in the
market more widely."
The aggregation policy has been talked about throughout the year,
but has yet to produce much change on the ground. Nevertheless,
David Harrington, director general of the CMA, told CW360.com: "The
government's aggregation initiative is a great step forward, but
this should be extended to commerce and industry. We will do all we
can to ensure our members jump on the aggregate purchaser
bandwagon. Let's get on with it and get broadband Britain
moving."
Harrington called for better marketing of broadband: "The average
SME does not need to hear about ADSL, and pipes and jargon. SMEs
care about what advantages their businesses will gain from
broadband," he said.
Alexander also promised to put pressure on British Telecom to drive
down costs so broadband prices can be brought down to mass market
levels and ensure that BT markets the benefits of broadband Britain
more effectively.
The e-minister made his speech just days after e-envoy Andrew
Pinder hinted in a speech at the CBI conference that the Treasury
was not convinced of the need for extra funding for broadband
roll-out.
Harrington said that Alexander had reassured the industry that
broadband is still high on the government's agenda. "The speech is
a clear statement of the government's intentions. It reaffirms its
commitment to making the UK the best place for e-business and
reassures us that this goal has not been swept under the carpet,"
said Alexander.