A national fibre broadband network should offer speeds of 100Mb to ensure the UK remains at the cutting edge of the digital sector, according to one expert.

Elfred Thomas, Chief Executive of Fibre to the Home (FTTH) company the i3 Group, said that users "deserve" a super-fast fibre broadband service.

Mr Thomas disputed claims made by BT's Ian Livingston at the recent Digital Britain summit that consumers do not want or need 100Mb.

He called on the use of fibre optic cables as an alternative to existing copper networks to boost expected speeds.

"To say the public does not want 100Mbps is a smokescreen for the admission that BT is incapable of providing super fast broadband due to the limitations of its antiquated copper network," Mr Thomas commented.

"The opportunities offered by fibre optics, both now and in the future, can not be underestimated."

He also said that the UK risks trailing behind other countries where commitments to FTTH have already been established.

The i3 Group is currently working projects to install high-speed broadband networks in 15 cities across the UK.