Government targets on broadband speed are unlikely to be met in Norfolk, according to a senior BT executive.

EDP24 reports how Peter McCarthy-Ward, East of England Director for BT, told a conference in Norwich that 2Mb broadband access may not be available across the county for half a decade.

Even meeting this target would be reliant on the provision of funding from the government and other sources, he claimed.

However, speaking at the Shaping Norfolk's Future (SNF) conference, Mr McCarthy-Ward said there was "a very good possibility" of meeting the target if stakeholders are "imaginative" in how they seek funding.

He claimed internet service providers such as BT must be willing to work with organisations like SNF if the plan is to be realised.

Revenue from the government's proposed broadband tax and finance from the European Regional Development Fund alone will not be enough "to bridge the gap", he claimed.

Universal 2Mb broadband access is a key policy in the government's Digital Britain plan.