BskyB criticizes UK telecom operators
According to a report from the Financial Times, James Murdoch of BskyB has criticized the service offered by major UK telecom operators who, according to him, charge too much for too little. This criticism is clearly aimed at broadband providers like BT who offer IPTV services via internet, the medium which is not as efficient as a broadcast of high-definition video content using satellite technology.
BskyB, the digital TV service provider via satellites offers many digital TV channels that include sports and on-demand videos. As the HD content viewing is gaining popularity in recent times, a few major UK broadband suppliers like BT and Tiscali have launched their IPTV services which reach many UK households via internet. Broadcast of videos on internet require fast internet connection and can cause congestion in internet traffic at times. These broadband providers also charge a hefty fee for getting the IPTV services, however, the question whether they offer same services that satellite broadband providers offer still remains to be answered by these ISPs.
The chief of satellite broadband provider further said BskyB has plans to expand as well introduce innovations in its services:
“When we go out there and we say we’re going to challenge some of those big incumbent telecoms companies who’ve been charging too much money for too little to too many customers for way too long, we think that’s good for customers.”
The aim of BSkyB is to benefit the customers who look for better service at cheaper price. The other issue that has to be answered is whether the ISPs who offer IPTV services are willing to upgrade their existing infrastructure so that the problems like poor quality and internet traffic congestion can be addressed. Even BT, the largest UK broadband provider has long been delaying its plans to launch FTTH service due to heavy investment for such plans. As far as the BT lines that carry broadband to UK households, they are so much inferior to the new technologies that promise higher speed like 100 Mbps in countries like Japan or Korea.
