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The British government decided this week to drop many of the "Digital Britain" reforms designed to boost the country's economy and promote high-tech investment.



The government abandoned proposals such as the expansion of superfast broadband networks in rural areas, because of Conservative Party opposition, industry resistance or lack of legislative time.



Lord Carter, the champion of Digital Britain, had lauded the opportunities for the communications industries to help in the recovery from Britain's recession and to decrease the nation's dependence on the finance sector.



Ben Bradshaw, the government's culture secretary, said: “The market simply won’t provide fast, quality broadband in much of the country.”



Both Labour and the Conservative Party have said that they will commit to some form of public subsidy to expand superfast broadband networks to rural areas, an initiative which is being promoted in many countries around the world, as a path to stronger economic development.