Government plans to invest more money in broadband and digital technology across the UK have been welcomed, but it would be a mistake to suggest existing products and services are inferior, one expert has suggested.

Commenting on the publication of the Digital Britain report, which outlined plans to improve the speed and coverage of web facilities across the nation, a spokesman for Intellect said the country already has some solid things in place.

Stephen Hearnden, director of telecommunications and technology at the firm - which represents those in the IT and software sector - explained the government and Ofcom clearly recognise there is work to be done but added this did not mean the infrastructure in place was low quality.

"If you look next year, for example, we and only two or three other countries in the world are looking for a universal service commitment to bring two megabits to every home," he noted. "I think we're doing quite well."

Mr Hearnden also said some of the problems the plans may run into are in its funding, as some of the levies that are being proposed could fall foul of EU regulations.

However, he concluded by saying when, in eight or nine years time, the changes are in place, the UK could look forward to a brighter future.

Research conducted by the Economist Intelligence Unit recently looked at how various nations would be able to harness the power of their IT and web infrastructures to push social and economic development forward - and it was found Britain had fallen from eighth to 13th place.

Categories: Broadband, Broadband Products

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