Ofcom has joined the call for the UK to build the infrastructure that is able to deliver the next generation of super-fast broadband services.

The telecommunications regulator has launched a consultation paper that will look at the outlook for future broadband Next Generation Access (NGA) networks.

Included in the scope of the proposals are considerations for the investment in a national fibre network to deliver faster broadband services. Operators of the current copper-based networks and technologies have already upgraded their technology to deliver faster broadband speeds.

The review comes as backing for Computeractive's Crystal Clear Broadband campaign continues to grow. MPs and the Plain English Campaign have now joined our call for internet service providers to give consumers fairer and clearer information about the performance of broadband services.

This will become vital because the development and consumption of high-speed services means current networks will at some point be unable to deliver the very high speed broadband service that may be demanded by customers.

Ofcom said that although it favours a market-led approach it is putting forward proposals for the future regulation of this new communications infrastructure.

It said current regulation has played an important part in contributing to an effective broadband market in the UK and it will also be a key factor in the delivery of an effective and competitive NGA for both consumers and investors.

The consultation paper comes hot on the heels of an announcement last week by Stephen Timms, minister for competitiveness, that broadband was a personal priority.

Timms said at a meeting organised by the Broadband Stakeholders' Group that he has ordered a summit on the issue of the infrastructure needed to deliver NGA. Because of the enormous costs likely to be involved in developing this, he did not rule out the possibility of public sector intervention.

But he warned the UK faces a "new challenge" and without this infrastructure we risked falling behind other countries.

"Other countries are starting to invest in new, fibre-based infrastructure, delivering considerably higher bandwidth than is available in the UK today. It is essential that the UK undertakes timely deployment of technology - we can't lag behind," he said.

UK broadband access regulation is based currently on creating and supporting a competitive market capable of delivering a range of services from a variety of providers, spanning many price points and available throughout the UK.

Over 99 per cent of the UK is connected to a broadband-enabled exchange and over half of UK households have taken up broadband.

The consultation closes on 5 December 2007.