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The battle to widen broadband access is being stepped up, with councils set to take a key role. Communications minister and former Ofcom regulator, Lord Carter, is set to announce a rapid increase in access to broadband services at the end of the month when he outlines his Digital Britain programme. He is expected to say that government, at all levels, will have a central role in achieving access for all, including financing expansion. ‘Today, we are way beyond the view that broadband is a niche product. It is an enabling and transformational service and, therefore, we have to look at how we can universalise it,' he said. ‘It is clear that there are many other countries in the world taking a completely different view of the role of infrastructure as an essential part of an economy, and the role of government in the provision of that infrastructure.' The Government believes broadband can boost learning, jobs and regional competitiveness, but significant hurdles must be overcome. The EU has warned efforts by local authorities to increase access could be uncompetitive, the economic downturn has hit expansion, and mobile phone firms are fighting the Ofcom regulator over sharing the broadband spectrum. But this has not stopped local government pioneers. Westminster City Council, Islington LBC and Bristol City Council are all forging ahead with roll outs. Joining them is Kent, after Ashford BC's regeneration arm, Ashford's Future, revealed the area was to benefit from the ultrafast (50Mb) broadband service rolled out by Virgin Media. Tim Gainford, telecommunications project manager for Ashford's Future, said: ‘This announcement is a key milestone for Ashford and for high-speed broadband in the UK. It represents an important step in the development of next generation broadband, which will revolutionise life in Britain over the next decade or more.'

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FINANCE

Minister pledges rapid broadband expansion

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