Super-fast broadband will be available to every home in the UK by 2020, the prime minister is to promise later.

英国首相将宣布，在2020年之前每个家庭都可以享受到超快宽带服务。

All main political parties say broadband access is important for the UK

In a speech, Gordon Brown is expected to call super-fast broadband "the electricity of the digital age" which "must be for all - not just for some".

He will warn of the risk of a "new digital divide" if the government leaves broadband supply to the market.

The Conservatives say they have made a similar pledge and have attacked a £6-a-year landline（陆上运输） levy¹（征收，征兵） planned by Labour.

Both parties are claiming that they will do more to put government services online - and make Britain a world leader in the digital revolution.

In his speech, Mr Brown will argue that faster broadband speeds will allow for cheaper and better public services as well as ushering² in（引进） more sophisticated entertainment options and making trade easier.

He is expected to say: "We can allow the market to provide a solution on its own terms and according to its own timetable.

"The result would be super-fast broadband coverage³ determined⁴ not by need or by social justice, but by profitability（利益率） .

"The alternative is our vision: ensuring, not simply hoping for, universal coverage."

The government is planning a 50p-a-month levy on landlines to help ensure that rural areas do not miss out on a fast network.

The Conservatives have attacked the tax, saying they will force BT to open up its network to competition, and if necessary use cash from the BBC licence fee to fill in gaps in the fast broadband network.

In their "technology manifesto⁵（宣言，声明） ", the Tories have pledged to give Britain the fastest high-speed broadband network in Europe if they win the general election.