Broadband now reaches the greater part of households and businesses in the UK and this has been replicated in widespread take-up. Meanwhile, competition has seen providers distinguishing their service offerings in terms of reliability, price, speed, quality and product bundles. A prosperous retail market is though dependent on a competitive wholesale broadband market or regulation, where competition is not yet enough.

As wholesale broadband bandwidth has become cheaper due to latest technological advances, the prices for provision of DSL bandwidth have also decreased. Making comparisons between products of wholesale broadband market is becoming difficult for customers and therefore, well-informed decisions about appropriate products have become a vital concern.

Wholesale broadband market is currently restricted to ADSL via telephony communications of BT. Only BT is grateful to provide access to its network and main cable operators. NTL and Telewest are not deemed to be nationally dominant and able to act independently of the market. Wholesale Broadband Solutions (WBS) are an array of broadband services that allow providers that do not want to invest in wide-ranging network infrastructure to offer end-users a branded Internet product.

The key benefits of WBS for a service provider consist of:

- No need to build wide network
- Absolute Access to dependable, proven technology
- Low operating costs
- No sunk technology costs
- No large capital conditions

Ofcoms analysis of the wholesale broadband access market has revealed that competition is growing at different rates across the UK. In the mainstream of the UK, consumers have an access to at least four wholesale broadband providers. But, in some areas, competition has not yet emerged and consumers only have access to one wholesale provider. Let us take a snapshot of some of the big names in the UK wholesale broadband market;

BT Group

It is one of the prominent providers of communication solutions in the world that operate in more than 170 countries and have one of the largest IP networks. Besides being the leading telecommunications provider in the UK, BT is also the most prominent broadband internet supplier in the country. The company offers both retail and wholesale broadband solutions.

Tiscali

Tiscali started structuring their LLU network in 2005, backed by their acquisition of HomeChoice. Tiscali wholesale offers resellers access to their network and focus appears to be on improving coverage of their triple-play services including Tiscali TV.

Plusnet

It is an Internet Service Provider based in Sheffield, United Kingdom and owned as of January 30 2007 by the BT Group. It also operates the Metronet brand in the UK Internet market. Plusnet operates, and has operated in the past, a number of “Virtual ISP” brands. These different brands use the accessible Plusnet Network and Software infrastructure.

Ntl:Telewest

Ntl:Telewest business is also one of the leading communications providers in the UK. They are in constant interaction with other telecoms operators, both nationally and internationally, both in a physical interconnection and in a business capacity (pricing, commercial agreements legal issues and general negotiations)

Investments in Glasgow have been robust in the finance, education, media, broadcasting, business services, and property investments amongst others. This city boasts an employment level that tops 420,000. The growth of inwards and outwards investments sped the growth of this city’s economy. As a result, its employment rate was twice that of Scotland and Britain. With such a spectacular level of economic performance, more investments have flowed into this city enabling a thriving economy.

Other than investments in the various key sectors of its economy, Glasgow has a highly skilled, big population that is crucial towards building its knowledge based economy. About 2million individuals capable of working are residents of the city or can get to the city in an hour’s time. Research and teaching centers like universities with international acclaim produce highly qualified graduates, 17% of whom get employed. Of the total graduates out of Universities and other teaching and academic centers, about 40% are absorbed by the workforce.

Investments in the property sector have experienced a marked boom over the last even years. This has been necessitated by the development of Glasgow’s knowledge based economy. It has thus been able to attract professional, skilled workers seeking employment. The result has been a demand for housing that has seen property investments double up. The LINC Scotland has a networks of investors both companies and individuals. It has been crucial in investments across Scotland, Glasgow included. This impressive fact file of economic development and investments promotion won Glasgow the bid to host the 2014 Common wealth games. This represents an investment opportunity in the city of magnitude proportions.

Investments in United Kingdom, Glasgow have been boosted by excellent transport links. It has three international Airports and an efficient rail and road transport. In addition, it has the UK’s best leading financial services. Its broadcasting and IT sectors have major employers that create enormous employments opportunities. The tourism sector performs quite remarkably with almost 3 million tourists visiting the city annually. The tourism sector alone generates a whopping £700 million. It is also a major shopping destination in the UK.