The setting up of a UK-wide £29 billion fibre-to-the-home broadband network in the UK could negate the need for a telephone system, one expert says.

Sean Poulter of the Daily Mail has highlighted the giant leap in UK communications that such a next-generation network would make, with video calls possibly becoming the norm for many people at home.

He commented: "The £29 billion fibre optic network would make internet access 30 times faster, allowing album downloads in 30 seconds and pay-as-you-view movie rentals.

"It will also provide High Definition TV channels and video calls to every home and business in the country."

According to a report by the Broadband Stakeholder Group, while rolling out a fibre-to-the-home network could cost £29 billion, a cheaper option for high-speed broadband in the UK would be a fibre-to-the-cabinet network, estimated at £5.1 billion.