The British government this week revealed plans aimed at putting broadband Internet connections in every home in the country by 2012.

That goal was first enunciated in the Digital Britain Interim Report, released last fall by UK Communications, Technology and Broadcasting Minister, Lord Carter.

Only about four per cent of British households are currently out of reach of existing broadband networks. However, only about 56 per cent of all UK homes actually have broadband installed.

The service commitment target set in the Digital Britain Report calls for a minimum 2 Mbps connection for all, to be delivered by “a mixture of fixed and mobile, wired and wireless means.”

Critics and industry players are skeptical about the feasibility of filling in the holes in the UK broadband grid in time to meet the 2012 deadline.

Nevertheless, Carter remains steadfast in his resolve.

“We will establish a government-led strategy group to assess the necessary demandside, supplyside and regulatory measures to underpin existing market-led investment plans, and to remove barriers to the timely rollout, beyond those declared plans, to maximise market-led coverage of next-generation broadband,” the Report asserts.

Carter also suggested that the broadband industry (which will ultimately benefit from more customers and more revenue) should expect to fund up to two thirds of the cost of new network infrastucture needed under the plan.