Free broadband for everyone

[Kwacky]

I see this has wound a few people up already

The UK is an embarrassing full-fibre laggard on the world stage, with only 8% of homes able to get it. This compares to countries such as Portugal, which has full fibre to 89% of homes, and Spain, which is at 71%.

I think it's an excellent idea. Lots of people can't afford to get online or simply can't access the internet where they live.

Ensuring everyone is connected will reduce traffic, create jobs, allow people to see their GP online, crerate trade and business, allow more people to work from home, allow more people who care for others to have access to wider community and also work online abd generally reduce the overall burden on the national infrastructure.

[D6]

Why is it winding people up? I see no bad thing about getting free broadband and extending fibre.

It's annoying not having access to fibre and therefore losing out on potential savings on TV and broadband deals

[StMarks]

...I think it's an excellent idea. Lots of people can't afford to get online or simply can't access the internet where they live.....

Two men looked out through prison bars....

My view sees a Corbyn-ist government in control of the whole country's internet. -Like the Chinese government do. ?

[Kwacky]

No one will be forced to use the free internet.

Our internet is already watched closely.

[StMarks]

No one will be forced to use the free internet..

If the Government had control of all internet, would there be a choice.?
If they are just talking about the cable infrastructure, isn't that increasingly irrelevant as 4g (now 5g) becomes widespread.?

...Our internet is already watched closely.

Really.?

[StMarks]

Besides, I see it more as yet another bribe.

[Kwacky]

As I quoted, only 8% of the population has access to full fibre internet. Labour aren't the first to proposed online access to all, but they're the first to propose that the government is responsible for it. Openreach gets a lot of cash already from the government so it's not a big step up to take control.

Labour aren't proposing to control the internet. Just to give everyone access to it.

[duke63]

The UK is way behind Europe with fast broadband. And the reason is that Openreach are a commercial entity and will only provide what makes money for them.

A few weeks ago we had our Sky box replaced and I asked the engineer why we still need satellite dishes. He said UK broadband is in the main not good enough or fast enough to send the signal that way. It takes about 40mb apparently to provide a glitch free picture.

He said Sky are currently trialling TV via fibre in Italy as they have a far superior fibre network than the UK. Go figure.

That’s why Labour are offering this.

[StMarks]

Labour aren't proposing to control the internet. .

Of course they're not mate..
Fwiw I just see a plausible logical progression..

I'm actually not averse to nationalisation of basic resources, and do feel that private industry is allowed to cream the UK far too much for piss-poor investiture.

[Cav]

I'm not against it but I also think there are bigger issues.

That said, £20bil and it's done. (Labour's estimate was 5bil but an expert said you should always multiply their figures by 4)

I do see how it can create jobs and also give fewer excuses to those "looking" for jobs.

[duke63]

Here is a list of european countries and the proportion of homes with fibre to the home.

Oh look who is last!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Frankie]

What country is EU28.........

[Monty]

**** communists!

[D41]

What country is EU28.........

I'm guessing that's the average of all the EU members????

[Monty]

[StMarks]

**** communists!

Besides, I see it more as yet another bribe.

Little Genghis Khan, to my left, was eager that I point out the miscreant you chose to ignore.

[Rossgo]

Lads calm down. A wired internet may not be great but everyone has phones. The bloke next door to me who dont work has the latest smartphone and has access to the 4G network. So I'm not worried in the slightest about free internet, it's a quick promise so that all these youngsters will vote Labour

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[Blade]

The UK is way behind Europe with fast broadband. And the reason is that Openreach are a commercial entity and will only provide what makes money for them.

A few weeks ago we had our Sky box replaced and I asked the engineer why we still need satellite dishes. He said UK broadband is in the main not good enough or fast enough to send the signal that way. It takes about 40mb apparently to provide a glitch free picture.

He said Sky are currently trialling TV via fibre in Italy as they have a far superior fibre network than the UK. Go figure.

That’s why Labour are offering this.

I was told when looking at switching to BT that 4k video stream would take 25mb and that was from an allowance of UP TO 50mb so with the kids streaming from multiple devices all the time it wasnt good enough.

We have virigin fibre on there basic level and its 200mb. Is Virgin an option in your area? It's not perfect but it seems to be the best out there at the moment.

[Kwacky]

Lads calm down. A wired internet may not be great but everyone has phones. The bloke next door to me who dont work has the latest smartphone and has access to the 4G network. So I'm not worried in the slightest about free internet, it's a quick promise so that all these youngsters will vote Labour

That's fine if you can afford the latest phone and you've got a phone signal.

[Jack]

I'm all for the Govt owning and running the infrastructure , I don't think access should be free , maybe a system like the old water rates