Ofcom has today published proposals to promote next generation broadband networks for new housing and office developments. It also announced a survey of UK infrastructure to examine the scope for extending these networks elsewhere.

The regulator is seeking to encourage competition and investment in super-fast broadband capable of delivering speeds 'up to' 100Mbps. The proposals themselves are designed to:


Meanwhile Ofcom's survey will look at the UK’s existing underground telecoms infrastructure and the potential for its use in a fibre (FTTx) broadband roll-out:


It is estimated that around 246,000 new residential and business premises are being built each year. A number of new build developments are already being fitted with fibre-based networks, including Ebbsfleet in Kent. The consultation, which closes on 25th June 2008, can be found at:

http://www.ofcom.org.uk/consult/condocs/newbuild/