Britain’s telephone and broadband system could be ‘switched off ’ within two years in a move to a new super-fast cable network, watchdogs have said. The £29billion fibre optic network would make internet access 30 times faster, allowing album downloads in 30 seconds and pay-as-you-view movie rentals.

It will also provide High Definition TV channels and video calls to every home and business in the country. Unlike the current system, it will be possible for several people in a household to watch TV, surf the web or download music at the same time.

In future, the system might be capable of delivering 3D television. However, consumers will have to pay to be connected to the network under plans outlined by Ofcom, the industry watchdog. Families also face hefty subscription costs for phone, internet and TV channels which will be beamed into homes via the new network. Taxpayers might also have to fund parts of the network in rural areas where private companies are unwilling to foot the bill source
The higher charges are on the cards in order to pay the estimated £5.1billion cost of running cables to every street in Britain or £29billion to put in a link to every home. Ofcom has published a consultation document making clear that the companies involved will be effectively given free rein to set their own charges to cover the
costs.

The watchdog insists that the installation of super-fast broadband is essential to the economic health of the nation. It believes business will benefit from the technology, not least because it will make it much easier for millions to work from home computers via a reliable video link Read VoIP and Broadband