Broadband has a crucial role to play in the recovery of the European economy, Viviane Reding has claimed.

According to the EU's telecoms commissioner, the deployment of higher-speed broadband networks in UK and the other 26 member states will help to trigger civil works projects and bring greater employment.

She also suggested that faster business broadband will allow European nations to enhance their productivity and competitiveness, safeguarding future economic prosperity and unlocking potential for innovation.

Reiterating calls made by the European Council in March 2009, Ms Reding suggested that there is a pressing need for a "unifying broadband strategy" across all EU member states.

"Policy makers quite understandably and quite rightly see the benefits arising from a speedy deployment of optical fibre and next-generation access networks," she said.

"Deployment of these infrastructures - in particular with financial support from the public purse - could act to create jobs or a short-term fiscal stimulus."

Ms Reding also urged broadband suppliers to focus on increasing upload speeds, latency and accessibility to services and content, as well as download speeds.

Despite the increased focus on the importance of broadband to businesses by policymakers, network provider NetServices claimed this month that the proposals outlined in the UK's Digital Britain report will offer little advantage to commercial enterprises.