The government has said it will review the future of broadband
internet in the UK amid calls that it should help firms pay for installing new
infrastructure.
It said it wants a better understanding of how to pave the way for moving to
"next generation broadband networks".
The review will be carried out by the former chief executive of telecoms firm
Cable & Wireless, Francesco Caio.
An increasing number of consumers and firms are using broadband services and
new, high-capacity cables are needed.
'Prepare the way'
The review has been ordered by the Department of Business, Enterprise and
Regulatory Reform.
According to the industry, the current telecoms infrastructure cannot cope
with the increase in demand for services such as downloads of films, videos and
music.
The review will report back to ministers and Chancellor Alistair Darling in
the autumn.
"We need to prepare the way for the UK to adopt groundbreaking new
technologies to ensure that we do not get left behind - competitively or
technologically," said Business and Competitiveness Minister Shriti Vadera.
