The UK’s leading broadband experts have named mobile broadband, faster fixed-line speeds and the BBC’s iPlayer as the highlights of the last decade, with the keyword for the next one being ‘convergence’.
Broadbandgenie.co.uk spoke to key decision makers at ISPs including Virgin Media and TalkTalk, as well as leading industry analysts, about an amazing 10 years on the internet.
Genie editor Chris Marling said: “It’s mind-boggling to think BT introduced its broadband service in 2000, at just 0.5Mb. Less than a decade later, Virgin Media release a service 100 times faster! Something that started out as the ultimate nerdy technology is now a staple part of the British diet. But while the speed advances have been huge, it’s how we use it that’s really significant.
“While mobile broadband was also hugely important, I think software such as the iPlayer and Skype, as well as websites like Amazon, Wikipedia and Google, have brought the internet to the world. Their simplicity of use and reliability has hastened the almost universal reach of the web.
“But looking ahead, network and technological convergence will mean even better speeds and all kinds of cool gadgets and home technologies. Social networking and video conferencing through your television, as well as 3D and multi-angle TV, are now closer to reality than science fiction. Home entertainment, as well as the way we communicate, will continue to evolve at an incredible rate.”
On the ‘noughties’, senior analysts at Juniper Research and Analysys Mason agreed with TalkTalk senior director of products and strategy Sylvain Thevenot that mobile broadband was the biggest breakthrough, driving access and allowing people to stay in touch across the world with ease, even on the move.
Unsurprisingly, Virgin Media broadband director Jon James and BE Broadband head of operations Tom Williams talked up the remarkable advances in fixed-line internet speed over the last decade. Director of Eclipse Internet Clodagh Murphy and head of marketing at Kingston Communications Richard Griffiths agreed the launch of the iPlayer was the broadband moment of the decade.
The importance of convergence going forward was unanimous with our experts. Exciting advances in mobile broadband technology, fixed-line speeds and consumer products look set to simplify and enhance the broadband experience for everyone. Advances in both mobile and fixed-line technology will be swift, having an immediate impact – we could even see the two markets converging completely.
For the full report, with insights from a host of top broadband players, visit: www.broadbandgenie.co.uk/articles/best-of-noughties-and-2010-broadband-predictions
Posted under Broadband & Mobile Phones
This post is a Blogger on December 23, 2009
