Government officials have recently announced that there is to be a review of the future of broadband in the UK. This announcement comes following concerns expressed over recent months with regards to the UK falling behind when it comes to next generation broadband and the technology that is required to support it.

There have been calls from the industry to urge the government to help with the funding required to install the necessary infrastructure to support next generation broadband in the UK. The government has now stated that it wants to develop a better understanding of how to prepare the country for the “next generation broadband networks”.

The former chief executive of telecoms firm Cable & Wireless, Francesco Caio, will be heading up the review according to reports. Officials state that it is important that the necessary technology be embraced and accessible as soon as possible given the increase in both business and residential users now turning to broadband. The Department of Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform has ordered the review for the UK.

Business and Competitiveness Minister Shriti Vadera recently said: “We need to prepare the way for the UK to adopt groundbreaking new technologies to ensure that we do not get left behind - competitively or technologically.”

Completion of the review is expected in the autumn, and the findings will be reported back to the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Alistair Darling, and to other ministers involved with this issue. Time is of the essence according to some officials, with the government advisory group, the Broadband Stakeholder Group, announcing last year that ways of funding more advanced technology needed to be found within two years so that the next generation of broadband connections could be embraced in the UK.