Communications minister Ed Vaizey has outlined the progress that has been made so far towards the target of delivering super-fast broadband to every home and business in the UK.

Speaking at the Broadband in Suffolk Conference (BSC), the MP said procurement has begun for the country's first next-generation broadband trial area in Cumbria.

The bidding process for £50 million of funding for next-generation access has also got underway, with the public money expected to boost the internet services available to 800,000 properties.

Other advances made by Broadband Delivery UK - the team responsible for achieving the Conservative-Liberal Democrat coalition's target of having Europe's best super-fast broadband network by 2015 - in the last four months include the commitment to an ongoing programme of applications from future pilot sites.

This measure is designed to ensure a number of projects are in the pipeline over the coming four years.

Mr Vaizey told delegates at the BSC he is keen to see the private sector take the lead in improving the UK's super-fast broadband access.

"We firmly believe that the market and private industry is best placed to give consumers and business the infrastructure and services they want and need," he remarked.

The communications minister went on to insist a number of plans outlined in chancellor George Osborne's latest Budget will help to position the rollout of broadband at the centre of the growth agenda.

Key issues include a full review of the Electronic Communication Code and the deregulation of overhead cables, a method used by some providers to deliver fast internet services.

In March 2010, Virgin Media announced a trial in the Berkshire village of Woolhampton in which telegraph poles are used to offer properties speeds of up to 50Mbps.

Neil Berkett, the cable company's chief executive, said: "This unique trial will allow us to understand the possibilities of aerial deployment and may provide an exciting new way to extend next-generation broadband services."

Add a comment

Comment

Your name

Your e-mail address

Comments (4)

25th August 2009

I found tonight's 3D episode of Chuck deeply disappointing. A poor compromise seems to have been struck between trying to create effects for those with the glasses and keeping it watchable for those who didn't, resulting in it being blurry and washed-out for the latter and lackluster in '3D'. Only 2-3 shots in the entire show seemed to convey the sense of depth I was looking for, and those didn't seem too sophisticated either, having a cardboard cut-out feel similar to old hologram magazines. If the proposed 3D channel is anything like what we saw tonight, I won't be subscribing. A poor debut for the technology on live TV, I feel.

25th August 2009

how do i get the glasses for 3d viewing

24th August 2009

how do i get the glasses for chuck's 3d episode

13th August 2009

how can you get extra pairs of the 3D glasses?