Friday 19 February 2010

This damn USC

I attended an Intellect run meeting, on behalf of BIS, this week to discuss the 2MBit/s Universal Service Commitment or USC. At least I had thought that was what the meeting was for - actually it was a "Concept Viability Workshop" to discuss the options to deliver on the USC in certain fabricated scenarios where it was perceived by the organisers that service may not currently be available.

The key issue we faced, however, was that the organisers of the meeting were unwilling to define the USC for us. Indeed we were openly told that the definition of the USC would not be considered. Therefore we were left to discuss how to deliver something we couldn't define which took less time than they had expected!

We did push back quite a bit on this and I heard two statements about the USC that could combine to form a definition:

1. It is a line that is capable of delivering up to...
2. It is asymmetric

I have since received an email thanking me for my attendance and confirming that the organisers did indeed note that we need to have clarity on that definition. I have written a response to that email that I wish to share (all names removed) and get your comment on as I believe we are starting on the path to failure when we can see the path to success right next to us and this makes no sense to me at all.

EMAIL:

Dear xxx,

I would like to raise one point from your email below. The consensus was that a definition of a USC is required not (necessarily) what a 2MBit/s USC is. I make the distinction because I wrote down two particular things that member of BIS had to say about the definition:

1. It is a line capable of up to...
2. It is asymmetric

Now there are a variety of other factors that could make up your definition but I believe you must first consider what the USC is trying to achieve. If all you require is to have some form of broadband service available to 100% of the country then you have your definition from the above. However, if your mandate is to consider a USC that can both deliver on today's broadband requirements and meet those of the next generations then, i.e. more aspirational, then you must reconsider the above statements.

As we heard from our colleagues in the satellite industry at the meeting, they can deliver a service to 100% of the country that will meet the USC based on the above (loose) definition. However that is not, in my view, a broadband service that can be anything but stop gap. Indeed in my breakout session that very fact was admitted to by a member of the satellite industry: "It will do until something better comes along..."

Technology is already very capable of delivering something better and people are already wanting to consume far more than such a connection would offer. Therefore I would urge you and your colleagues to reconsider your position on the USC and to make it far more aspirational than it appears it is going to be.

I have two initial suggestions that would mean you could still progress with the 2MBit/s headline figure that everyone is so familiar with:

1. It is a line that will deliver a minimum of 2MBit/s at peak hours
2. The 2MBit/s rate is the upstream rate (therefore if it is an asymmetric connection the downstream rate will be far in excess of this)

In truth I and my colleagues who look to deliver true next generation broadband to Britain's communities would like to see a USC (or perhaps a USA - aspiration) of 100MBit/s symmetric but I am not going to push you on that!

Good luck with your report.

Best Regards,

xxx

Wednesday 17 February 2010

Tuesday 16 February 2010

Rural Broadband Colloquium

If you have any interest in progressing the poor state of our rural broadband then you should consider attending this upcoming colloquium: http://www.webpr.co.uk/digitaldales/colloquium/

It is organised by people with a huge amount of experience in the issues associated with rural broadband and sponsored by groups who can provide great insight into how it can be delivered and what potential it can bring to your community.

You can register to attend at the above link - it will be a highly worthwhile event which could make the biggest difference to your community in recent years.

Please pass on the word if you know of others who may be interested.