According to the
UK's government action plan 'UK Online: The Broadband Future,' launched early
this year, some 28 per cent of British households are expected to use high-speed
Internet connections by 2005.
But to date, delays in opening up the BT network have put the UK behind France,
Spain and Germany, the latter with 500,000 ADSL connections compared to 35,000
in the UK.
The government has pledged £30 million to support its ambition of ensuring that
almost half of UK residents have broadband access by 2003, via either ADSL or
cable modem - though it is recognised that there will also be significant regional
variations.
