The benefits of competition in the UK’s broadband sector have been starkly illustrated by the latest annual review from INCA (Independent Networks Co-operative Association) – a co-operative trade association for next generation broadband services. Private investment continued to flow into the independent network sector over the past year despite the challenging economic conditions and increasing interest rates. Planned investment to 2030 has increased to £24 billion (€27.6bn). According to INCA, this is more investment than BT Group and Virgin MediaO2 combined, whose own investments and deployments have been spurred on by competition from the Altnets. Taken altogether, planned full fibre investment until 2030 is only beaten by HS2 as the UK’s biggest infrastructure investment programme. “Recent comments by the BT Group CEO indicate that the incumbent operator is feeling the challenge from independent providers,” said INCA Chair Tim Stranack. “It’s vital that the regulator provides an environment in which infrastructure competition can flourish in order to make full fibre available to more UK consumers and also deliver upon the strategic priorities set by government to Ofcom.” The report reveals that approximately 25 per cent of the UK is now able to receive full fibre broadband from an independent supplier, […]
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