Universal broadband proposed for UK

High-speed internet access for anyone who wants it

15 January 2009 9:49 GMT / By Amy-Mae Elliott

Every house in the UK will be guaranteed access to broadband, according to an early draft government report.

The plans will see a "universal service commitment" to broadband in Britain, that would mean every house that wants it should be able to get it, with minimum speeds of 2 megabits per second.

The report has been drafted by Lord Carter, the communications minister, who is reported to have told a meeting at Westminster that broadband was no longer seen as a "niche service for the technologically keen".

But, the FT reports that BT said any universal broadband commitment could cost "much more" than its existing obligation, and should be funded by mobile as well as fixed-line operators, plus broadcasters and web content owners.

The universal broadband access proposal is expected to be published later in January.

Full tags

Software, Broadband, BT