Broadband 'in every home by 2012'

An interim report on the UK's digital future also looked at plans for public service broadcasting.

Prime Minister Gordon Brown said digital technology was as important today as "roads, bridges and trains were in the 20th Century".

But the Conservatives said the report promised "no new action". The Lib Dems said it was a "complete damp squib".

Culture Secretary Andy Burnham told MPs it would help Britain secure a competitive low carbon economy in the next five to 10 years, adding the country "led the world in content creation".

The report called for everyone in the UK to have access to a broadband or cable internet service speed of up to two megabits per second (Mbps).

This would make internet connections capable of handling much more video and sites that offer greater interactivity.

By the time of the final report, the government will know whether internet service providers (ISPs) can build next generation networks themselves or if government help will be needed.

Multipoint Technology