Experts say local fibre broadband projects need common standards

Local fibre optic broadband projects need to develop common standards or risk being left as "digital islands", according to former BT Openreach chief Steve Robertson and Shadow Business Minister Chi Onwurah.

Speaking to the House of Lords communications committee, the experts said adopting a universal approach on these predominantly rural super-fast broadband rollouts would still allow local groups to own the networks.

This method would involve internet service providers (ISPs) being encouraged to deliver broadband using the infrastructure, rather than forcing the owner to also act as ISP.

Highlighting the problems that can befall local fibre broadband projects if they fail to win support from major telecoms firms, Mr Robertson pointed out that South Yorkshire's Digital Region scheme has so far failed to turn a profit.

The Digital Region network, which comprises 350 miles of fibre optic cables extending across the area, is currently in the process of searching for a private company to take over the running of the infrastructure.