Said Business School of Oxford University and the Department of Applied Economics of Spain’s University of Oviedo recently carried out a survey on behalf of Cisco Systems to understand the broadband capacities of different nations across the world. A total of 66 countries were part of the study, and the results showed that Romania was better equipped to face the future of broadband technology when compared to the UK.
The study divided the countries into four categories, namely, ready for the future, comfortably placed at present, barely meeting present requirements, and below par even for today’s needs. Surprisingly, the study placed the UK in the twenty-fifth position, and it was placed in the category of ‘barely meeting present requirements’.
The study based its analysis on the available data regarding upload and download speeds, together with the extent to which broadband has penetrated within a country. Japan got a highest rank, as fast and high-speed access is available to all in the country. However, countries where speeds are slow or where a majority of people are without internet access came lower in ranking status.
Another factor considered for ranking countries was its preparedness for the future, in terms of allowing video and TV streaming for the population. Surprisingly only nine out of sixty-six countries formed the core group of highly prepared countries. Countries like South Korea where the government is planning to achieve 1 Gb speed by 2012 scored high, while the UK, still trying to get 2Mb speed by 2012, scored low.
Cisco Systems has stated that the current study shows better results and rankings than the one conducted last year. It has also concluded that today’s internet matters the most rather than that of the future.
Broadband Genie’s comparative table of UK broadband providers includes an analysis of the products and services from all the internet service providers. So, take a look at their website; click on your provider, mine’s AOL Broadband and check out the latest on broadband UK.