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An inquiry into 5G networks and the UK's broadband is being launched to look at how realistic the government's pledge is to bring high-speed internet to every home and business by 2025.
What is needed to achieve that, how realistic the ambition is and what it will mean for people and businesses will be looked into by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) select committee.
Boris Johnson
has faced questions over the viability of his promise to bring gigabit-speed broadband to the whole of the UK in the next five years, which would significantly increase average internet speeds for many parts of the country.
Explained: Why 5G and Huawei matter
DCMS committee chair Julian Knight said: "The delivery of full-fibre broadband is critical to the success of the UK, particularly the need to ensure that our businesses of the future are equipped with a reliable, future-proofed network no matter where they are based.
"The government has said it wants to achieve this nationwide roll-out by 2025.
"We'll be carrying out a reality check to find out what steps must be taken now if this target is to be reached."
The committee will also look at the role controversial new 5G technology could play and will examine schemes such as the Shared Rural Network to improve mobile connectivity.
The network is a joint venture between the four major mobile operatores - O2, Vodafone, Three and EE - and the government which includes sharing infrastructure as well as building new phone masts.
Mr Johnson has previously promised to make "poor mobile signal a thing of the past".
On Wednesday, a cross-party group of US senators wrote a letter to British MPs expressing their "significant concern" with Mr Johnson's decision to hand Chinese telecoms company
Huawei
an infrastructure role in distributing 5G in the UK.
Image:Huawei has denied its equipment could be used for spying
Critics claim Huawei has close links to the Chinese government and its equipment could be used for espionage purposes, although the company has always denied this.
Donald Trump was reported to have been "
apopletic
" with Mr Johnson during a phone call last month after the UK pushed ahead with allowing Huawei to build "non-core" parts of the UK's 5G networks.
