Govt targets increased fibre broadband coverage

Fibre optic broadband could be deployed to more properties over the coming years as the government outlined new targets for next-generation access.

Culture secretary Jeremy Hunt revealed the Conservative-Liberal Democrat coalition is aiming for nine in ten homes and businesses across the UK to be able to take advantage of super-fast broadband by 2015.

Universal speeds of 2Mbps should also be available by this time, Mr Hunt said.

He commented: "If we press ahead with expansion of super-fast capabilities, then we can put the UK in the global fast lane."

Failure to progress the technology will "apply a handbrake to growth precisely when we need to power ahead", Mr Hunt warned.

His remarks come after Fujitsu announced plans to roll out a fibre optic broadband network covering five million homes across rural Britain.

TalkTalk and Virgin Media have already confirmed they will utilise the infrastructure to sell on wholesale broadband products to customers beyond the reach of their current coverage.