HISTORIC PRESS RELEASE : UK on track to be a leading internet economy [September 2008]

The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 12 September 2008.

An independent review on the UK’s next generation broadband access has been unveiled today looking at how the Government should maintain its position as a leading online economy.

The report findings concluded that the UK’s competitive telecoms market can deliver the next generation access in broadband, and maintain the country’s position as a leading online economy, but the Government and Ofcom need to be vigilant and play an active leadership role.

The report, headed by telecoms specialist Francesco Caio, sets out recommendations for how the Government should maintain its position as a leading online economy.

The Prime Minister met with Francesco Caio earlier today and congratulated him on the report, stressing the importance of the findings.

Mr Caio said:

“The UK and its consumers and businesses benefit from a competitive broadband industry and a rich choice of digital communications and entertainment platforms.”

The review was announced back in February 2008 by Baroness Shriti Vadera, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Business and Competitiveness to look at a set of focused questions around the potential barriers to deployment of high speed broadband.