A number of internet industry bosses and watchdogs have held talks about investing in a next-generation broadband infrastructure to make the UK more competitive.

Proposals include laying down a fibre network with costs spread out over half a century, simplifying planning rules, refashioning the role of BT and ensuring provision to rural areas.

There are concerns among experts and politicians that the UK is lagging behind countries such as France in the race to have the fastest broadband, reports the Register.

Ofcom regulator Peter Phillips told the eForum that the UK has to take seriously the issue of ongoing investment in the nationwide broadband network.

But he stressed that BT "should not have an unfair advantage in retail markets in order to persuade it to upgrade its network".

Ofcom data shows that the average amount of time spent surfing the internet each day in 2006 was 36 minutes, an increase of 158 per cent in four years.

Friday, 23rd November 2007

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