High-speed broadband provision 'a pressing issue'

27th February 2008

Now is the time for Britain to act on the provision of high-speed broadband, it has been claimed.

A number of issues pertaining to the UK's international position in the broadband market need to be addressed, states Kip Meek, chairman of the Broadband Stakeholder Group (BSG).

Mr Meek's comments come as the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform launches a review into the provision of high-speed broadband in Britain.

Some 70 per cent of the British population actively use the internet, according to official government figures.

"I do think that in due course, it would be bad for Britain if we were behind our competitors on provision of high-speed broadband - of course the real question is, what does 'in due course' mean? When should this happen?" states the BSG head.

A report from the group published last year identified four key aspects of the market's development: regulation, policy, the investment environment and appropriate government intervention.