Broadband torpedoed

sir – The benefits that nationwide full-fibre access will bring to the

UK are transformative. However, as an industry, we believe Labour’s proposals will undermine the significant investment and network development already under way, leave consumers with reduced choice and risk thousands of jobs both now and in the future.

The telecoms sector has already committed billions to rolling out broadband, but Labour’s plans would cause this private-sector investment to grind to a halt. With the right support from government, the industry is well placed to accelerate rollout.

Labour’s proposals expose a fundamental misunderstanding of how broadband is delivered and will set back the rollout of gigabit connections across the country for years to come.

Labour’s plans do not just have an impact on BT, Openreach and other operators investing in new networks. They also fundamentally jeopardise the 600-plus other communications businesses using these infrastructures to connect their customers. These businesses appear to have no role to play in Labour’s nationalised broadband service, with the sector’s 181,000 employees left out in the cold.

There is no such thing as “free” broadband, and these proposals wildly underestimate the level of investment required. Andrew Glover

Chairman, Internet Services Providers’ Association Malcolm Corbett

CEO, Independent Networks Cooperative Association Julian David

CEO, techuk Clare Macnamara

CEO, Broadband Stakeholder Group

sir – Jeremy Corbyn has certainly upped the stakes by pledging to give us all free full-fibre broadband by 2030. Which party will offer us all free electric cars? Carey Waite

Chailey Green, East Sussex

sir – State-controlled internet. Doesn’t that make you feel safe? Richard Hodder

Four Elms, Kent