Government launches next-generation broadband review

The department for culture, media and sport has announced plans for an independent review to "investigate the path to next-generation broadband" as part of the government's new "action plan" for the creative industries.

Business and competitiveness minister Shriti Vadera said that the review would help to prepare the way for the adoption of "ground-breaking technologies" that will change how Britons access government services, information and entertainment.

She added that high-speed broadband will be vital for the growth of Britain's creative sectors, which currently contribute £60 billion to the economy.

"We must be ready to respond to future technological developments which will place unprecedented challenges for our communications networks over the coming decade," Ms Vadera commented.

Other aspects of the review will look at curbing illegal file sharing by 2009 and creating 5,000 apprenticeships in the creative industries.

A recent survey by Broadband Expert found that the average broadband speed in the UK was 2.95mbps.