Entanet warns of problems facing govt fibre broadband plans

Geo's withdrawal from the Broadband Delivery UK (BDUK) framework has serious implications on the UK's fibre optic broadband future, according to Entanet.

Neil Watson, head of service operations at the company, said Geo's plan to opt out of future bids to deploy super-fast broadband networks means the government will become more reliant on major providers such as BT and Virgin Media.

This has "obvious negative implications" for the market, he declared.

As well as telecoms firms, some local authorities - including Bath and North East Somerset Council (BNESC) - appear to have reservations about the BDUK framework, he added.

BNESC chose to reject the chance to secure any government cash for its fibre broadband plans, although a review has now been launched into this decision, the Bath Chronicle reports.

Mr Watson commented: "The obvious concern is that councils and providers will start to lose interest and faith in BDUK's ability to deliver super-fast broadband to the remaining third as the government plans."