House of Lords to investigate superfast broadband

The UK upper house of parliament, the House of Lords, has launched an inquiry into superfast broadband.

The inquiry will address what changes in the use of digital communications can be anticipated over the next 20 years, and how should these should affect strategic investment in the UK’s digital infrastructure, whether government investment is being effectively applied to develop maximum social and economic benefit, what is being done for areas where the roll out of superfast broadband isn’t commercially attractive, and what role could or should the different methods of delivery play in ensuring the superfast broadband network is fit for purpose.

Lord Inglewood, chairman of the Lords Communications Committee, said: “Superfast broadband is clearly an important development across Britain, not just for economic growth but also because it will impact on how people do things such as view media content, shop and even access healthcare. We want to look into the government’s proposals to find out if its targets are likely to be met and whether it is being ambitious enough in its plans. Issues such as investment, Britain’s market in fibre optic products and whether the advances in broadband provision will require regulatory changes are all things that need to be looked at to ensure the strategy works.”

The deadline for written evidence to be submitted to the committee is March 13.