A Virtual Race has been called for by governments digital champion

In order for the government to achieve its goal to provide broadband access to everyone in the UK by 2012, a “virtual race” will be needed according to the new digital champion that has recently been created by the government.

A call had been made recently by Martha Lane Fox, the newly appointed digital champion, for a “virtual race” to begin to improve broadband penetration in order for the universal broadband plans for the UK to be achieved by the Government.

The BBC reported that Ms Lane Fox has advised that while the preparations are underway for the 2012 London Olympics a race should run alongside it to provide a broadband connection of at least 2Mbps to every household in the UK.

The connection of the country’s six million poorest should be completed as a priority according to the broadband expert and lastminute.com co-founder, although she also advised that there are currently 17 million users in the UK that do not access the internet and do not have the benefit of VoIP solutions or internet downloads.

“They’ve asked me to see what really clever applications of technology could help people get more employment, get more choices, take control of where they live of their own situation in a slightly more cohesive way,” advised Ms Lane Fox when she spoke to the BBC.

According to Ms Lane Fox there are currently a significant number of people in the UK that are choosing not to have broadband connections but she believes that by highlight the huge number of savings that are available through using the internet she can persuade them to get online.

A popular broadband information website has also advised that mobile broadband packages may be of more use than fixed-line broadband connections for students.

Source – Telappliant