Down the line

This perversely could be good news for the BBC in one respect. A lack of network bandwidth for high definition downloads and the associated costs in providing this additional bandwidth could strengthen the hand of the BBC in terms of seeking additional space for additional HD services on digital terrestrial television (Freeview).

Of course there's the forthcoming Freesat service as well as the existing Sky satellite/cable services but for many people this may not be convenient or even possible depending on the location. Also what may help the BBC is if other commercial broadcasters offer HD downloads first, which in turn would force broadband network providers to upgrade their capacity.

Basically speaking, people in the UK are paying the price for all those cheap broadband offers in that there's hardly any money left over for networks to upgrade their speed and capacity for future increases in demand. Throw in HD programme downloads and many existing broadband networks would come to a crashing halt if they aren't upgraded.

Only Virgin Media appears to be currently interested in upgrading its broadband network, and BT seems to be disinterested because it still thinks that there isn't yet a business case for installing fibre optic cable networks for domestic use. So UK broadband is being hobbled by fierce price cutting and a reluctance to spend money on network infrastructure.

No broadcaster (including the BBC) should ultimately have to foot the bill for additional bandwidth when network operators should be providing additional capacity for general internet usage, because it would be akin to the BBC having to buy everyone a larger hard drive for their computer so that they have enough room to download larger files.