In the medium term it should become apparent that offerings on a degenerating twisted pair network are no longer acceptable (or economic) so enhancing the probabilities of far more future-proof solutions being developed.
Therein lies the problem and who is going to pay for it. Many cable companies went bust even though they were cherry picking the more profitable areas. When was the last time any new cable was laid by the likes of Virgin? Once you get out of the cities /south, then relatively little cable can be found. Theres certainly none around here.
I strongly applaud the likes of b4rn and perhaps more incentives should be given to groups like that. But then again not all communities will be able to do this as it would depend on permission from landowners to cross their land :/
This is a very tricky and difficult situation when it comes to the cost of laying cable and getting landowners permission as not all are as obliging. There are certain parts of the UK that dont even have mains gas.. theres even a new estate been built not far from here that has no gas at all. Its hardly the back of beyond - right beside a major road and right next to superstores, and only yards from houses who do have gas, yet the builders/whoever decided it wasnt economic to put in gas mains.
Although I do my fair share of moaning about BT when its applicable, at least they are the one major organisation attempting to do something. Virgin isnt going to.. and despite the TT group having the the most broadband subscribers, I dont see them doing anything either.
The only way forward would be more funding from the government (either central or local), but when funds are so limited anyhow and they seem to be stripping the NHS, benefits, housing, council community funding etc etc etc Im not sure from which purse the funding would come.
