UK business minister Baroness Shriti Vadera has launched a government review into the barriers facing next-generation super-fast broadband.

The review will be led by former Cable & Wireless chief executive Francesco Caio and will specifically address the role of the public sector in minimising the cost of investment from the private sector.

It will also consider whether Ofcom has sufficient regulatory powers to ensure a smooth transition to high-speed access, and identify potential handicaps to collaboration between telcos and content providers.

"We must be ready to respond to future technological developments which will place unprecedented challenges on our communications networks over the coming decade," said Vadera.

The findings of the report are expected in the autumn.