Fast victory for broadband as end of dial-up era looms

The rapid spread of broadband means dial-up connections will have virtually vanished by the end of the decade, according to a report today.

Just 4 per cent of residential internet connections will rely on the original form of going online by 2010, says uSwitch.com, the price comparison site. Greater availability, lower prices and faster speeds have helped make broadband more popular.

The prediction follows Office for National Statistics figures last week which showed 88.4 per cent of UK internet connections were broadband compared to 86.2 per cent the previous year.

Steve Weller, the head of communications services for uSwitch.com, said: "There is no way that slow, cumbersome dial-up connection will have a place in the home of the future, where entertainment will be underpinned by the broadband connection."

By 2010, 21 million UK households are likely to have an internet connection, uSwitch predicts.

Meanwhile, the social networking site MySpace today launches a section dedicated to charities and social causes. MySpace users can now donate money to charity directly from their profiles on the site. MySpace Impact was modelled on existing content channels such as MySpace Music.