28 September 2007
Ofcom has warned that the current broadband network in the UK must be upgraded in order to meet the nation's growing communications needs and provide a better deal for customers.
The industry regulator has called on operators to make a "significant" investment in improving existing infrastructure to switch to Next Generation Access (NGA), also know as super-fast broadband.
It has launched a consultation on how investment and development in the NGA can be carried out to ensure the UK does not lag behind other European countries that have already started to implement the technology.
Ofcom Chief Executive, Ed Richards, said: "We want to ensure there are no barriers to investment and provide a clear regulatory environment which will help encourage investment.
"But we also want to ensure that the benefits of competition which consumers have enjoyed with current generation broadband can also be achieved as we move to higher speed next generation access."
"Today's access network, at some point in the future, will run out of steam as consumers demand faster and faster access," Mr Richards said.
"Very few people agree on exactly when this is going to happen but many people do agree it is only a matter of time."
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