Former BT CTO slams unambitious broadband plans

Slow broadband speeds will put the UK at risk of missing out on the "next industrial revolution", according to former BT chief technology officer (CTO) Peter Cochrane.

Speaking to the Lords communication committee, Mr Cochrane claimed the government's target for super-fast broadband speeds is too low, comparing it to "a candle while the rest of the world is using the lightbulb".

According to the Guardian, the former BT chief said the UK is now at the "back of the pack" with regard to broadband, with almost every European and Asian nation offering faster average connection speeds.

"The great decline in our relative global position has saddened me over the years and we need to invest at least £15 billion to redress this now," he added.

Mr Cochrane's comments come after the latest Akamai data showed the UK only has the 17th fastest average broadband speed in Europe.

However, Ofcom's most recent figures painted a more positive picture, revealing that the average speed rose by 22 per cent in the 12 months to November 2011.

More than half of residential broadband lines now have a headline or advertised speed of above 10Mbps, the regulator discovered.