Broadband 'crucial underpinning' for competitive Europe

Broadband is the "crucial underpinning" of Europe which can compete with the rest of the world, the communications minister has said.

Stephen Carter was speaking ahead of a European Council meeting on the Electronic Communications and Networks Framework in Brussels today (November 27th).

He said that the discussions would be "critical" for broadband technology in Europe and added that he had been pressing for the issue to be addressed.

"Europe needs to consider how best to ensure universal availability and access, not just by connection but also by device, to affordable broadband internet, which is already a central service for millions of people across Europe," Lord Carter said.

"It is crucial to the way many of us go about our lives and daily business, and increasingly the means of delivering good public services cost effectively."

He added that the fact that terrestrial digital broadcasting was now well on the way in a number of European states meant that it was now time to start providing broadband for all.