CityFibre says councils need more flexibility on broadband plans

Giving councils more flexibility on the procurement of networks could encourage the rollout of ultra-fast fibre optic broadband in the UK, CityFibre has argued.

James Enck, head of corporate development at the network operator, said Britain is lagging behind other developed nations and regions such as the Netherlands and Hong Kong in terms of fibre-to-the-home (FTTH) availability.

If FTTH deployments are to be encouraged, local authorities should be given greater scope to fund and procure infrastructure, giving them "more self-determination in shaping connectivity options for their communities as a lever of economic development policy", Mr Enck claimed.

He added that the rating system for fibre networks should also be examined, as it currently favours incumbent operator BT over rival telecoms firms looking to roll out their own fibre broadband infrastructure.

The CityFibre chief's comments come shortly after the latest FTTH Council report showed that the UK is currently trailing at least 30 other countries in FTTH broadband deployments.