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If you walk into any public library in Britain, you are sure to get an internet access. However, according to a recent announcement by the government, the internet speeds available at public libraries in Britain will soon be upgraded. In a few months from now, broadband internet access in public libraries will be faster than the fastest fibre-optic home connection.

According to the terms of a new deal signed by the Museum, Libraries and Archives Council (MLA), local authorities across Britain will experience a digital upgrade from their standard connection to the ‘Janet’ network, which is an enhanced computer network funded by The British government. This network is solely dedicated to research and education, and it offers speeds of up to 1gigabyte. Once public libraries make this upgrade, they will experience speeds that are ten times faster than what they are getting now.

In a recent comment, MLA chief executive Roy Clare said that ‘Janet’ network will be the next big thing to happen in the field of public libraries after the “People’s Network”. However, there is no compulsion that libraries must compulsorily upgrade to the new network. Yet Clare believes that an upgrade will be a boon for users.

In a recent interview, Jane Finnis, publisher of the Culture24 website, said that free internet access in public libraries was a natural outcome of the digital revolution in Britain. It was destined to happen sooner or later, and now with the new Janet network, users will have both a better browsing and surfing experience and a chance to engage in social and interactive activities in the virtual domain.