'Broadband totally necessary to everyday life'

A broadband expert has supported the view that access to the internet is vital to everyday life in the modern world.

Edd Dawson, managing director for Broadband.co.uk, has supported the government's plan to make sure every UK home has a broadband connection of at least two megabits per second (Mbps) by 2012 and he said the government will play a crucial role.

Many people remain without a domestic connection through choice and Mr Dawson said this decision should be respected, although most web users consider the internet to be as important as water or electricity.

Mr Dawson told ITProPortal: "It's a fact of life and I'm old enough to remember before the internet and before mobile phones, but now all those things in my life - and just about everyone I know's life - are totally necessary."

Internet service providers are under pressure to deliver next-generation broadband in the coming years, in addition to providing a basic connection to every UK home.

Businesses have criticised the government's 2Mbps plan for lacking ambition.