The future of broadband should be a joint project between providers and the government, according to Kip Meek, chairman of the Broadband Stakeholder Group.

It has been announced that the government is undertaking a consultation on the development of next-generation services, which could mean that broadband users have access to higher-speed broadband in coming years.

Mr Meek has spoken about the consultation, saying it is not about "writing out big cheques" but could result in a collaborative broadband infrastructure.

He explained: "We will find ways of creating the right investment environment, for the private sector [to contribute]."

It has been revealed in figures released by the government that 70 per cent of the UK population use the internet, with over 50 per cent of households using broadband services.

Falling behind other countries in terms of the speed of available broadband speeds would be "bad for Britain," said Mr Meek, who advocated a collaboration between service providers, content providers and the government.



Wednesday, 27th February 2008

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