The UK has more than three million broadband punters, according to official figures released today. Of course, Oftel"s definition of broadband - and hence its arrival at this important milestone - is generous to say the least and refers to always-on Internet connections offering download speeds of between 128 kbit/s and 2 mbit/s.
Some critics claim this woolly definition from an equally woolly (and soon to be extinct) watchdog merely fudges the figures. Indeed, the prickly matter of a "meaningful" industry-wide definition of broadband was discussed at some length during last month"s broadband inquiry by the Trade and Industry Select Committee. In particular, the Consumers" Association (CA) said punters needed a clear definition of broadband to prevent them from being misled, insisting that there is "widespread confusion about the term "broadband"".