78% believe fast, reliable internet access should be a right in the UK

A new report issued by ISPA ahead of its annual Parliament and Internet Conference has revealed some stats showing how important the broadband is to UK consumers.

• 72% of Brits say continued investment in broadband upgrades by providers is essential.
• 78% believe fast, reliable internet access should be a right for everyone in the UK.
• Almost half would give up the gym (49%) or alcohol (42%) before their internet connection.
• 55% say tech platforms aren’t doing enough to stop online fraud and scams.

The report marks the 30th anniversary of ISPA and covers a range of key issues affecting the telecoms sector, such as broadband rollout, online safety, fraud, and digital inclusion.

The importance of broadband will vary very much depending on what you do, e.g. if you work from home all the time then no broadband means a long trek to the office. Therefore why in reports like this it is important to question a nationally representative sample.

Broadband and internet access is second place to supermarkets as a daily necessity (40% for supermarkets and 37% for broadband) in terms of daily priority. This places broadband above other utilities and mobile networks and banks. That people would give up their gym access (49%) or alcohol consumption (42%) to keep their broadband actually shows the importance a good many respondents place on something that was just seen as academic research tool when first created.

On the digital divide which exists in various forms be that being able to afford a reliable broadband service, actually having a connection that is fast and reliable and finally the confidence and knowledge to navigate the Internet with all its troll bridges and pitfalls. The report is pretty clear that the Government has a big roll to play in ensuring affordable broadband for all at 41% supporting that, but there was a near even split at 40% saying its down to broadband providers and 23% voted for the responsibility falling on local government.

These figures highlight that with the digital divide existing in various forms there is no single solution, and that partnerships are the way forward and being bolder in how the digital divide is addressed is something that decision makers at all levels need to consider.

Roadworks are part and parcel of daily life and since infrastructure needs to be constructed we are going to have to suffer some disruption. Hopefully the disruption from the fibre rollouts is something that will die down as rollouts progress and with the new guidance on the use of poles hopefully more reuse of existing infrastructure to avoid pavement clutter will be the order of the day. Unfortunately in some cases for many reasons some properties that don’t have ducting in the road or across the garden to the wall of the actual property and installing that ducting can be disruptive and expensive, hence poles appearing in some places.

With all the noise around broadband roadworks in the last year the answers around broadband investment and roadworks are a bit of a surprise. Possibly suggesting that some objections may be being driven by those who don’t view broadband as a modern necessary utility.

• 72% of respondents say it’s important that broadband providers keep upgrading networks
• 62% are willing to accept short term traffic disruption for long term improvements
• Urban areas demonstrate higher support, but the case is strong nationwide
• 53% are not aware of the current upgrades that are on going

Unfortunately, scammers have shifted from door to door activity to embracing online as it allows them to contact many more people at a lower cost. This aspect of keeping us safe online is covered in the report but the conclusion is basically Government and industry need to do more to keep users safe online. We’d also add that support for those who are caught out should also have better support as the trauma can be long lasting even if any money is actually recovered.

• Regarding online safety 33% say its up to users and parents
• 21% say the tech platforms are responsible
• 17% the Government
• 13% broadband providers

ISPA in its report calls for a more coordinated approach: government, industry, and tech platforms must step up their efforts to maintain public trust and keep users safe online. Plasters like two factor authentication may be helping to reduce the amount of fraud, but scammers are adapting and still manage to thrive, even those who are not online are not safe due to the level of phone call scammers. One advantage of the Digital Voice rollouts may be better tracking and blocking of scam calls.

Hopefully the next decade will see full fibre rollouts complete with the big challenge then being to actually connect everyone, and this includes the most remote UK properties.