Broadband services are now delivered to homes and businesses using cable modems, DSL technology, broadband fixed wireless and broadband satellite services. David Edmonds, Director General of Telecommunications said:
"With over 20,000 broadband connections a week, the current level of growth outstrips the equivalent demand for mobile phones and dial-up internet when they were first introduced. And the UK has more competition at both network and service levels than many European countries. Where many consumers in Europe rely on the incumbent for broadband services, UK consumers are choosing from a number of different networks and service providers.”
However, the UK is still believed to be lagging behind its European neighbours in the provision of next generation Ethernet broadband services - which operate at 20 times the speed of ADSL connections. The UK's incumbent, BT, continues to face industry criticism over its provision of wholesale broadband services to smaller operators.