UK DSL still expensive - Oftel

dahamsta

UK DSL still expensive - Oftel
By Tim Richardson
Posted: 07/12/2001 at 16:18 GMT

The UK is still one of the most expensive places for DSL services, according to Oftel.

Its latest international benchmarking report found that the average cost of DSL in the UK was £49 a month, compared with £35 in France, £30 in Germany, £28 in the US and just £23 in Sweden.

But when the prices for cable modem services are included in the figures, the average cost of broadband in Britain falls markedly, the survey found.

Sweden is the cheapest at £19 a month, followed by the UK at £26, US at £28, Germany at £29 and France £34.

However, the availability of cable modem services is limited, reaching around 38 per cent of UK households, compared to the 60 per cent of households that could access DSL.

The study also found that the UK continues to have some of the cheapest prices for residential dial-up access compared to other European countries.

Said David Edmonds, head of Oftel: "The results of the new survey show that while the UK is doing well in some areas, such as narrowband Internet access and cable modems, there is still progress to be made in other areas, notably DSL.

"Oftel is working to encourage a competitive market for broadband services delivered through a variety of channels including DSL and cable.

We are now seeing active competition between cable modems and DSL which should help drive down DSL prices," he said.

Here's hoping... ®

aidan_dunne

Originally posted by dahamsta

The UK is still one of the most expensive places for DSL services, according to Oftel.

Its latest international benchmarking report found that the average cost of DSL in the UK was £49 a month, compared with £35 in France, £30 in Germany, £28 in the US and just £23 in Sweden.

Excuse me OFTEL but why don't you take a look at us across the pond and see that WE are probably the most expensive place for DSL in Europe, if not the world. That's, of course, if you live in Dublin and can get a trial, not even a proper commercially available product yet. At least they have ADSL in the UK. We don't. Stop your whinging, OFTEL. ADSL for fifty quid a month? Jesus, I'm drooling here at the thought of it!

The study also found that the UK continues to have some of the cheapest prices for residential dial-up access compared to other European countries.

Yes, because they've got FRIACO and we haven't. Oh to have fifty quid ADSL or even proper, flat-rate access! I feel so depressed right now. I'm off to check the price of Ryanair flights to the UK and I think I'll move there permamently!

Son of Blam

Do people have *acutal prices* of broadband products on sale to residential customers in Ireland?

Right now Eircom are not selling broadband access to residential customers so I can't quote them for prices. (When actual prices are announced then you can all once again complain about them *grin*)

NTL are selling cable modem access at the following prices:

Always-On 512 £27.56
Always-On 128 £19.69
(a month)

That doesn't include installation and a cable modem however, but is still pretty cheap. The other catch is that it's only available to a small amount of people.

Can anybody else post up prices for Chorus and whatever other satellite companies are offering broadband access?

-Son of Blam