Broadband and the barriers to convergence in the European community

The convergence of telecommunications and broadcasting has in recent years been accepted as common sense, and broadband networks, based mainly on fibre, have been adopted as a policy goal by the EC and national governments. Indeed there are some signs of convergence, and attempts are being made to overcome national differences in approach in preparation for 1992. Substantial problems remain, however, not least the fact that demand for sophisticated new services remains unproved. Broadband may be justified ultimately as a survival strategy for PTTs in the face of sharpening competition rather than in terms of the grand claims originally made for it.