Zen chief says urban broadband cash must go on 'complementary networks'

Newly announced government funding for urban fibre optic broadband rollouts must be spent on complementary infrastructure, according to Zen Internet.

Andrew Saunders, the internet service provider's head of project management, said it is important that projects financed by the super-connected cities scheme do not compete with existing broadband networks.

"By complementary, I mean providing coverage to premises not already served by direct fibre or even fibre-to-the-cabinet (FTTC) to ensure that this investment increases total fibre coverage," he explained to Computer Weekly.

Announced last week during the Autumn Statement, the latest round of super-connected cities funding will see 12 locations across the UK receive a share of £50 million to improve their super-fast broadband connectivity.

Mr Saunders went on to state that wholesale access is important to ensure a range of service providers are delivering fibre broadband to consumers, but stressed that many other components go towards making up the overall internet experience.

He added that building fibre broadband infrastructure does not necessarily mean residents and businesses will sign up to super-fast internet services.