Digital champion calls for "virtual race" for broadband

The recently-appointed digital champion, Martha Lane Fox, has called for a "virtual race" to realise the government's universal connectivity plan.

She said the race to connect every home in the UK to a broadband service of at least two megabits per second (Mbps) should run in parallel with preparation for the London Olympics in 2012, reports the BBC.

Around 17 million Britons remain offline and do not benefit from either internet downloads or VoIP solutions and the broadband expert and co-founder of lastminute.com said she wants to get the poorest six million connected as a priority.

Ms Lane Fox told the BBC: "They've asked me to see what really clever applications of technology could help people get more employment, get more choices, take control of where they live of their own situation in a slightly more cohesive way."

Many people choose to remain offline, but Ms Lane Fox said she believes she can convince them to get connected by highlighting the myriad savings available through the internet.

In related news, comparison site BroadbandChoices.co.uk has said students could find mobile packages more useful than fixed-line connections.