10 Mbps By 2020 By Law

The minimum speed of connection can be increased over time as consumers’ connectivity requirements evolve

31 December 2017 | Updated 01 January 1970

The Government has confirmed that universal high speed broadband will be delivered by a regulatory Universal Service Obligation (USO), giving everyone in the UK access to speeds of at least 10 Mbps by 2020.

This is the speed that Ofcom, the independent regulator, says is needed to meet the requirements of an average family. After careful consideration the government has decided that regulation is the best way of making sure everyone in the UK can get a decent broadband connection of at least 10 Mbps as soon as possible.

Following the creation of new powers when the Government passed the Digital Economy Act 2017, a consultation on the design of the regulatory USO in the took place in the summer. The Government will now set out the design for a legal right to high speed broadband in secondary legislation early next year, alongside a response to the consultation.

Ofcom’s implementation is expected to take two years from the date of the secondary legislation. BT came up with a voluntary agreement but this was dismissed.

Culture Secretary Karen Bradley said: "We know how important broadband is to homes and businesses and we want everyone to benefit from a fast and reliable connection. We are grateful to BT for their proposal but have decided that only a regulatory approach will make high speed broadband a reality for everyone in the UK, regardless of where they live or work.

This is all part of our work on ensuring that Britain’s telecoms infrastructure is fit for the future and will continue to deliver the connectivity that consumers need in the digital age."

Article written by Brian Shillibeer | Published 31 December 2017

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