Socitm warns about two-speed broadband Britain

Public sector ICT professionals have warned about the creation of a 'two-speed Britain' as ultra-fast fibre optic broadband is rolled out in urban areas.

The government's goal of delivering the best super-fast broadband network in Europe by 2015 will actually lead to a gulf in speeds, according to IT body Socitm, as download capabilities of up to 200Mbps will be available in commercially-supplied cities.

In contrast, ten per cent of the UK - primarily rural communities - will be left without a wired connection, the organisation claimed.

Consequently, Socitm urged local authorities to continue with the national broadband programme but treat it as something to build on, while pushing forward with their own initiatives in order to make the most of their limited money.

"Local politicians are waking up to the opportunities that broadband offers and recognise the downsides of being left behind," commented report author Chris Head.

Some 58 per cent of the UK's population can currently access super-fast broadband, government figures have revealed.