Lord Carter hints at broadband for all plans

Lord Carter has hinted that he may include plans to provide broadband for all UK households as part of the upcoming Digital Britain report, it has emerged.

In the study due in June, the communications minister may also advise that government should provide investment for the deployment of a new superfast broadband network.

During a speech to the Westminster eForum, Lord Carter dropped a strong hint that his initial report due later this month will favour a programme to provide broadband in every home.

"Today we are way beyond the view that broadband is a niche product, it is an enabling and transformational service and therefore we have to look at how we can universalise it," he said.

"We have to ensure that fairness and access for all is more than a sound-bite in a manifesto."

Lord Carter also urged government to improve digital literacy in order to encourage the 40 per cent of people who can currently get broadband, but don't, to sign up to the service.

A government report published last autumn and backed by Ofcom has suggested that private sector investment rather than public money should be used in any national optical-fibre rollout.