So just what is superfast broadband, minister?

[Simon]

One of the key ministers charged with delivering the next generation of internet services for Britain can't even define what the government means by superfast broadband, according to a published answer to a parliamentary question.

Responding to a written question asking for a definition of what the government meant by the term, Edward Vaizey, the lead minister for all matters internet related, choose not to put any figures on target speeds.

"Super fast broadband means broadband of sufficient speed and quality to deliver the services that will lead to Britain having the best broadband network in Europe," said Vaizey, Minister for Culture, Communications and Creative Industries.

http://www.pcpro.co.uk/news/broadband/358810/so-just-what-is-superfast-broadband-minister

[kinmel]

An answer straight out of "Yes Minister"

[Simon]

 

[Niall]

So basically he's a clueless yes man that doesn't actually know anything about the subject he's tasked with, other than what he's been told. Then he thinks 10mb is awesome, will announce that but then someone says "psst, oi guv, heard of Sweden?" and he fills his pants and backtracks and double talks.

<insert swearword>

[Glenn]

So what is superfast then?

[Rik]

Better than ordinary fast?

[talos]

It's a faster fast

[Rik]

A bit like brilliant white compared to white, eh Bob?

[talos]

Exactly Rik

[Den]

As technology is changing all the time and what was superfast ten years ago would now be very slow I think that was a good answer. To say that we will endever to stay ahead of Europe and have the best broadband available is a great answer rather than saying we will have 10mbs when the technology improves further and Europe has 100mbs. 

[Technical Ben]

Really? You mean you don't think he is giving the same answer as BT does Den?
At least say "we cannot give a number because we are constantly improving". Or "we will increase it". These are both honest, and humble (as I know the money may not be there).
But why call it "super fast" if it's just "sufficient"? Perhaps "New" is just a better word. Considering they are not increasing the speed of light, latency or distance travelled. No increase in speed there. They might increase bandwidth though.

Next year Ferrari release a "super fast car". It travels twice the speed of the old ones. It has the same engine, but 4 seats instead of 2. 

[cavillas]

Really? You mean you don't think he is giving the same answer as BT does Den?
At least say "we cannot give a number because we are constantly improving". Or "we will increase it". These are both honest, and humble (as I know the money may not be there).
But why call it "super fast" if it's just "sufficient"? Perhaps "New" is just a better word. Considering they are not increasing the speed of light, latency or distance travelled. No increase in speed there. They might increase bandwidth though.

Next year Ferrari release a "super fast car". It travels twice the speed of the old ones. It has the same engine, but 4 seats instead of 2. 

Or it's 1/2 the length.

and in answer to BT it depends on how much they cut the delivery speed to, if they cut it by 80% then doubling that will mean superfast.

[pctech]

in a word we need fibre.

[talos]

  Back to food again

[pctech]

 

[Rik]

Do we ever leave it, Bob?

[pctech]

We know you don't Rik 

[Rik]

 

[VaderDSL]

We just need to skip straight to ludicrous speed broadband!

[gizmo71]

"superfast"?! I need to pass through the "adequate" phase first!

[Glenn]

Me too

[esh]

Super Mega Fast Turbo Broadband PLUS+ Extreme Edition

[Rik]

So that would be 8Mb then?

[pctech]

I'll be interested when 100Meg arrives.

[Rik]

Choked at the exchange by a hot VP and delivering 2M on average. 

[pctech]

If BT has got anything to do with it no doubt.

Mind you looking at the cost of routers and the line cards I'm not surprsied, it makes your eyes water although its small change in terms of BT.

[Rik]

And small change is all they ever give us.

[Technical Ben]

Sounds a lot like most "progress" these days. It's all in the wrong direction, but spun to be the right one. Just as long as it's what I'm being fed metaphorically and not in reality.

[pctech]

Think the only way we'll get it is if some enterprising soul with big pockets builds a microwave backhaul network of some kind.