UK broadband needs help

Next-generation network infrastructure needs government targets and updated regulation to compete globally

Broadband is key to UK economy

The government must take action to ensure the UK's high-speed communications infrastructure meets future needs, says the Broadband Stakeholder Group (BSG).
Next-generation networks are critical to economic competitiveness but there is little prospect of the necessary upgrades being delivered by the current market structure, the BSG annual report being published later today will say.

Recommendations will include government targets and an updated regulatory structure.

BSG chairman Kip Meek said: 'Broadband is key to the UK economy and has a critical impact on many people's daily lives.

'We have a limited window of opportunity: if steps are not taken now to prepare for next generation broadband, then we may well find ourselves in a position where it is too late to catch up.

'Failure to act on the issue of next generation broadband will be to the detriment of both our economy and our society,' he said.