EURIM says universal fibre broadband is within reach

Up to 100Mbps fibre broadband could be rolled out across the entire UK without the need for any extra government funding, according to EURIM, the Information Society Alliance.

The organisation claimed this target could be achieved, provided local enterprise groups and private sector telecoms firms make full use of the country's existing infrastructure.

For instance, EURIM noted power substations serve around 98 per cent of UK homes, meaning powerlines could be a viable means to deliver fibre broadband.

Gridline Communications recently announced it was taking advantage of this method to bring broadband to residents and businesses in the Cumbrian village of Shap.

Other recommendations from EURIM include extending existing secondary school broadband networks - many of which offer speeds of up to 100Mbps - to local councils, homes and businesses.

"Sharing and building on existing infrastructures could dramatically cut the cost of providing local online access to public services, thus enabling major savings to both central and local government," the organisation remarked.