Moral fibre: should policymakers ‘do what is right’ and promote all-fibre broadband networks? Catherine Middleton weighs up the arguments

There is consensus that broadband networks are essential enablers of the digital economy, but much less consensus as to how to actually define broadband or to recognize its essential features. Without an understanding of the potential of next generation broadband networks, it is difficult to set policy agendas or shape appropriate regulatory frameworks to guide future broadband developments. This article presents a vision for next generation broadband and poses questions as to whether the technologically neutral stance that generally guides policy making should be set aside to actively advance the deployment of fibre.