Whatever happened to "Broadband Britain"?

Broadband internet connections should be available to the whole population at reasonable cost. BT as the national telecommunications company should have to provide ADSL or a suitable alternative for the same price, whether or not they can turn a profit by converting that exchange. Does anyone remember Tony Blair saying that he wants to turn the UK into the place for internet businesses? How can that happen when 40 percent or so of the population can only connect via a modem?

BT have been allowed the carry on with their half-hearted, half-arsed roll out of ADSL for far too long. Oftel have clearly been BT's poodle, there can be no other explanation for them not goading BT into action with judicious use of a cattle prod. I hope the new regulator is something of an improvement, but to be honest, my expectations aren't high.