The BBC is looking to roll out its own broadband network to mitigate the bandwidth problems expected to occur as use of its iPlayer becomes more widespread, it has been reported.

Under the plans, the broadcaster would install "about 200 servers at various points in the BT network, including local telephone exchanges" - the Telegraph reports.

In order to spread the cost of the proposed network, which is currently dubbed Project Cheetah, the BBC is currently negotiating with UK ISPS such as BT, TalkTalk, Sky, Tiscali and Virgin Media.

News of the network will be balm to broadband providers, which had warned that the bandwidth demands of the iPlayer would put undue and unsustainable strain on the UK's broadband networks.

Some ISPs had even gone so far as to threaten to introduce limits on the service or to charge customers for using the application.

iPlayer is officially launched on Christmas Day - a date chosen to ensure maximum interest from surfers.

Use our broadband speed test to find out the speed of your connection and compare potentially faster packages.