UK can build 100MB broadband without public subsidy

That's among the key findings of a poll carried out in May by the organisers of the 360°IT show, among 347 IT managers. According to Jim Mortleman, editor of the 360°IT Blog, the coalition's plans for the 'rapid roll-out of superfast broadband across the UK' strengthens the hand of those in government who want to see parts of the Digital Economy Act repealed – including Nick Clegg. The reason, says Mortleman, is that the network will have to be funded in large part by private investment, and leaders of key telecoms and Internet businesses like BT have publicly expressed serious misgivings with the Act and the heavy compliance costs it implies for them. Mortleman adds that he would be surprised if the Act were not significantly reworked. This, he notes, would be good news for the UK's IT industry, since getting the legal framework for digital business right, in a balanced way, is going to be critical for future industry success.