Gordon Brown has emphasised the importance of super fast broadband access on a universal scale in the UK during a recent speech.

Mr Brown said that it is not inaccurate to equate the importance of the arrival of broadband to that of domestically available electricity. He also pointed out that it would empower the citizens of the UK, as well as saving billions of pounds of taxpayer’s money in the process.

The most significant use of broadband for Mr Brown is in the formation of government policy and the movement towards a truly democratic society. He said that everyone should be able to have their say on the shape of their communities, as well as on the progress of government on a local and national level.

Mr Brown also expects the use of the internet to simplify the standard bureaucratic exercises that are required when moving house, changing job or dealing with any state-funded service.

There is already evidence that broadband and internet-based technologies have saved the government money, as pensions secretary Yvette Cooper has shown figures proving that one billion pounds has already been saved thanks to making services available on the internet.

People will soon be able to claim the Jobseeker’s Allowance online, as well as getting access to their old age pension, which the government claims will save another hundred million pounds each year.

So far the only barrier between the complete virtualisation of many government services has been the lack of universal broadband coverage. It is hoped that cheap cable broadband, subsidised ADSL technology and mobile broadband will all play a part in reducing this deficit.

Simple Broadband’s Simon Gerrard said “It is good to see politicians paying attention to the increasingly essential nature of high speed broadband.”

The changes that are currently afoot in the home broadband market are set to alter the face of the industry as we know it. Whilst it appears that landline customers are going to experience a rise in the cost of their services, people who opt for bundle deals will be getting a better price for their connections.

Starting in April, BT is altering the definitions of off-peak for its inclusive call package users, moving the start time in the evenings from 6pm to 7pm. However, according to a report from Simplydigital.co.uk there is a chance that BT broadband deals will be getting cheaper after O2 launches its own home broadband and phone service bundle, undercutting rivals on price.

O2 is going to combine the price of line rental and broadband into a one-off payment that will cost customers £17 each month on a 12 month contract. Considering that Virgin Media is putting up the cost of its line rental, people who had given up on ADSL broadband and moved to cable could well be switching back to save cash.

Not every consumer will be looking for value above all else in their home broadband packages and speed has recently proven to be an increasingly important factor as fibre optic broadband connections become more widely available.

In 2010 it seems as if there is a push within the telecoms industry to encourage consumers to put all of their eggs into one basket and sign on for multiple services from the same firm. Since the majority of broadband customers also require home phone and digital television in some form, it makes sense to save money and commit to a package.

Simple Broadband’s Communications Manager Simon Gerrard said “It is advisable to save money by opting for BT broadband deals with multiple services bundled together, although price comparison is more important than ever.”

PlusNet is already considered to be one of the best value broadband providers in the UK for home users and now it has a fresh range of packages aimed at small and medium sized businesses who want quality without excessive cost.

The basic package is Business Option One, which has a maximum download speed of 8Mbps and includes a 10GB monthly data allowance coupled with a free wireless router. As with most PlusNet deals there is also unlimited off-peak usage, which might be useful if you are planning on some late night working.

Options Two and Three offer more of the same, including larger data allowances, free VoIP calling, larger webspace for setting up a business site and faster upload speeds if you take the most expensive package.

PlusNet is consistently ranked as one of the best broadband providers in the UK when it comes to value, although it is also recommended for its UK-based customer service teams and its willingness to serve its customers. It has relied on word of mouth rather than expensive advertising campaigns, to grow over the years, which should be seen as a positive.

If you are looking for an alternative to the BT business broadband packages out there then you might want to compare their prices with the new line up for business users from PlusNet.

Simple Broadband’s Communications Manager Simon Gerrard said “Comparing the various business broadband packages on offer is always advisable and can save small businesses considerably. If it is value you are after then PlusNet offers a compelling range which is not compromised in any way by its low price and which offers even better value if you sign up for 24 months.”

Industry regulator Ofcom has revealed figures which show that the price of broadband in the UK is considerably lower than in the majority of other nations around the world.

The recent report analysed figures from various developed nations including Germany and Italy, identifying that the cost of most digital TV, home phone, broadband and mobile services is lower in the UK than anywhere else.

The figures concluded that a family of four in the UK could pay as little as £108 for mobile phones, broadband, home phone and TV packages to cover the entire household. This includes an 8Mbps broadband connection and mobile phones for every member of the family.

Deals covering all of these services in a bundle, which is usually the cheapest way in which families can pay for them, would cost customers in Italy 28 per cent more. In terms of value, Italy is the UK’s closest rival, although the gap in average prices is significant.

Ofcom’s CEO Ed Richards indicated that the low price of broadband in the UK was due to a highly competitive market. With BT broadband deals and bundles competing with comparable packages from Virgin Media and Tiscali, prices are likely to stay low and continue to fall in the UK over the coming months.

Mr Richards also cited innovation within the UK broadband industry as key to its continued success and the wide availability of digital services despite recent criticism of government plans for the future.

In other research from Ofcom, it was discovered that over 35 per cent of all UK households take advantage of BT broadband deals or similar in order to receive additional services including home phone and digital TV from a single provider.

Millions of pounds are being invested in the broadband infrastructure for Northern Ireland in order to offer much faster connections to home and business broadband customers around the country.

A total of over £48 million will be injected into the industry over the next year and a half, with the promise of improved speeds for both rural and urban customers.

Businesses who want to take advantage of high speed connections are in luck, as the plans include the provision of a 10Mbps minimum download speed for urban businesses, whilst a 2Mbps minimum is expected for rural businesses.

Completion of the improvements is targeted for mid-2011 and half of the money is being invested by British Telecom after it won the contract.

The remaining money is being provided from various public sector sources, including some from the European Union.

A spokesperson for the government said on announcing the plans that the money would not only enable faster broadband for all residents of Northern Ireland, regardless as to their location, but would also create up to 1000 new jobs as a result of the improved broadband infrastructure.

Cheap cable broadband using fibre optic technology will be key to the success of the investment scheme, although 166 telephone exchanges are being upgraded and various wireless broadband hotspots are also going to allow for wider coverage.

Many are pleased that the investment will help those in rural areas, where broadband connections are traditionally sluggish or non-existent. The inclusive nature of the plans is being heralded as a step in the right direction that other areas of the UK would do well to follow if growth and productivity are to be improved.

BT Chief Executive Ian Livingston said that cheap cable broadband provided using fibre optic technology would continue to be integral to increased speeds and wider availability of broadband in the future.

Be Broadband has extended its half price broadband offer on its entry level home broadband package. The extension is welcome but will expire on 28 December so users looking for a cheap broadband deal need to sign up quickly. A voucher code – ‘halfprice’ needs to be used when applying for the Be Value package and cuts the price from £13.50/month to just £6.75/month – this is a saving of £81 per year. You can find more about the offer here – Be Broadband Half Price Deal.

The Be Broadband Value package gives a connection speed of 8Mb and unlimited monthly usage. Also included is a free wireless router and free customer support at any time (Be has won awards for its customer service!).

Simple Broadband’s Communications Manager, Simon Gerrard said: “Be Broadband offers some great packages for the home broadband user and, with money tight for many people given the current economic situation, extending this half price broadband offer is likely to be very successful.”