Point Topic sees 'relatively low demand' for gigabit fibre broadband

Consumer demand for ultra-fast fibre optic broadband is still relatively low, according to Point Topic.

The broadband market intelligence firm accepted that customers have "started to see the point" of next-generation speeds, but at present are only making use of 60-70Mbps downstream rates.

Point Topic argued that few people are interested in signing up for gigabit fibre broadband, although it acknowledged that end-to-end consumer fibre has been successfully deployed to blocks of flats.

Oliver Johnson, the company's chief executive, said the majority of broadband subscribers only want a service that meets their basic internet needs. Consequently, they require enough speed "to stream a high-definition video or three, with perhaps some light browsing on the side and - if the kids are old enough - an online game and a music stream", he claimed.

Future-proofing is currently the most persuasive argument in favour of gigabit fibre optic broadband deployments, Point Topic added.