Inca says govt funding will not deliver universal fibre broadband

Government funding for fibre optic broadband will not singlehandedly solve the problem of notspots and slow spots across the UK, the Independent Networks Co-operative Association (Inca) has argued.

The Conservative-led coalition has indicated that its investment in broadband amounts to approximately £60 to £70 for each property that will not be included in private sector rollouts.

In comparison, the average cost of a "fully future-proofed job" - such as the installation of fibre to the home - costs around £1,000, Inca claimed.

The organisation has called on the administration to ensure that all of its money is spent wisely, rather then being wasted on solutions "that end up being sub-optimal from the point of view of the UK as a whole".

"This is a critical infrastructure for our future and it is important that we get it right," it added.

Inca's comments come after Culture Secretary Jeremy Hunt revealed more than £362 million has been allocated to improve broadband in rural and remote parts of England and Scotland.