Long before the economic downturn took hold, the mantra 'think global, act local' had been a clarion call from campaigners of all kinds. Environmentalists were there first with climate change and recycling, followed by the regional regenerators. Each were niche issues which have now moved to the mainstream agenda, and the same now looks set to happen with superfast broadband access. Entrepreneurs as well as politicians at local, national and EU level are calling for broadband to become the 'fourth utility'. Newly-elected US president, Barack Obama, highlighted how high-speed Internet availability opens up access to computer programmers such as web designers in 'China, India or any European country'.
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