Fighting Illegal File-sharers Result in Broadband Price Hike

BT, the leading fixed-line broadband service provider in the United Kingdom has come up with an interesting revelation that the ongoing challenge of tackling illegal online file sharing upheld by the government on behalf of the copyright industry was likely to cause a hike in the broadband service charges in the country.

According to the estimate of BT, the broadband industry would have to bear the burden of a phenomenal cost of around GBP 1 million a day, for policing the online activities of the broadband consumers in the country. The BT broadband presentiment also hints that such a fund cannot be raised by the broadband supplier in the country at present without increasing the broadband service prices.

If the BT warning can be taken into account, it could mean that on top of the government proposed 50 pence annual broadband levy, the broadband customers in the country will also have to tolerate a hike of approximately GBP 2 per month on their internet service charges.

This intimidating fact becomes more significant currently as the onus now has fallen back on business secretary Peter Mandelson following a solution being reached upon by the artists of the music industry of the UK who met last day to discuss the anti-online piracy legislation proposal. The decision taken by the industry finally was to support a less stringent three-strike and broadband speed slow down policy.