The take-up of next generation networks in the UK will require significant investment so that homes across the country are able to use the facility, it has been claimed.
According to Edd Dawson, managing director of technology advice portal broadband.co.uk, the minimum speed currently associated with universal broadband access across Britain is two megabits per second.
"There are many hundreds of thousands of properties that fall below this threshold currently, so the key will be how they propose to bridge the gap," he added.
Mr Dawson went on to say mobile networks are likely to be a cheaper option than a wired provision, but would still require a large investment and to be economically viable in the more remote areas of the country would require a subsidy.
Stephen Carter, the first minister for communications, technology and broadcasting is to develop a report into innovation, investment and quality in the digital and communications industries, which will examine options for maximising participation and levels of service across the UK.