Broadband downsizing to threaten casual games boom?

The firm announced in July that it was planning to spend £1.5 billion on introducing fibre optics into its UK network with a the view to enabling super-fast broadband access in over ten million homes.

The Guardian quotes BT’s chief executive Ian Livingstone as stating: “I personally believe if it is the right thing to do as a 20-year decision it is the right thing to do. But we need to have the environment in which our shareholders feel there is a good chance of us making a return. If we cannot have that environment this is not the time to be taking on sure-fire losses.

“But I have to tell you there are some shareholders who say 'you know something, don't do that, don't do a whole lot of other things. That leaves you with a lot more cash and cash today is worth a lot more than cash in a few years' time'.”

Some have criticised the news, stating that shareholder concerns should not get in the way of the much-needed modernisation of the UK’s aging telephone network.

Were the plans to be scrapped it would threaten the UK public’s ability to access the increasingly complex technologies powering not just the internet but also the new wave of casual gaming.