Broadband firms 'must work together' for UK's high-speed internet future

Broadband providers must work together if high-speed internet is to be rolled out across Britain, the Government has said.

Culture Secretary Jeremy Hunt is telling providers to find low-cost ways to help meet the Government's targets for universal and superfast broadband throughout the country.

"Our broadband network is as fundamental to Britain's success in the digital era as the railway network was in the industrial age," Hunt said yesterday.

"By the end of this Parliament, this country should boast the best superfast broadband in Europe and be up there with the very best in the world.

"I will bring together the key industry players who can help deliver this. I now need them to work together on solutions and tell us what we can do to help make this ambition a reality."

The Government believes the market should lead the way in delivering broadband to all, but says it will work with the industry.

Broadband Delivery UK, the group set up to deliver the plans, is to look at the barriers to providing a basic level of broadband to the mainly rural communities that are yet to be connected.

The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills will also publish a discussion document today on telecoms companies and other utilities sharing infrastructure to cut the cost of building new networks.

Hunt said: "There is currently nothing to stop telecoms or utility companies reaching commercial agreements to share their infrastructure, but very few agreements currently exist.

"Before we embark on legislation or start committing scarce public resources, we need to explore these cost-effective ways of achieving our aims so I want to hear from companies about their proposals and willingness to work towards mutually beneficial commercial arrangements."

Environment Secretary Caroline Spelman said: "The broadband revolution has passed by too many of our rural villages and remote areas. Many have inconsistent access, speeds so slow they are all but unusable or no access at all.

"Rolling out superfast broadband is probably the single most important thing we can do to ensure the sustainability of our rural communities and businesses."

The announcement follows a campaign launched on Monday by internet entrepreneur Martha Lane Fox to get everyone in Britain online. The co-founder of lastminute.com, who was appointed to oversee the Government's digital plans, will try to get every working-age person using the web by 2012.