Investment from both the public and private sector may be required for next-generation broadband to work effectively, it has been stated.

Member of the Ofcom Consumer Panel Roger Darlington, speaking at the Westminster eForum keynote seminar Next Generation Broadband, said that many were finding it difficult to get investors due to the nature of the technology.

He added that many regional development agencies and local authorities were trying to get private sector businesses involved in broadband-promoting initiatives in order to develop the technology, but many were not joining them in their goals.

Mr Darlington said: "You can't ask them because they can't envisage the services as many of those services don't currently exist. Why should you develop them if there isn't a market for them?"

The seminar also noted that the deployment of next-generation broadband could cost as much as £15 billion to deploy across the country, with fibre optic wires necessary for improved internet speeds.

According to a recent survey by Connect, the two biggest IT headaches for businesses were 'everyday hassles with IT' (37 per cent) and 'security concerns' (32 per cent).