Broadband industry leaders are to meet ministers to discuss how to stop the UK dropping into the internet "slow lane".
More than half of all UK homes now have a broadband connection, at an average speed of four megabits a second (Mbps).
But the broadband summit will hear other countries are moving more quickly to build ultra-fast networks that can deliver speeds of as much as 100 Mbps.
Ministers say ultra-fast broadband will be a key to helping UK businesses "innovate, grow and create wealth".
"We need to be discussing how we can put this new network into place, because delay could be a barrier to the future success of our economy," said Stephen Timms, minister for competitiveness.
The broadband summit will discuss how industry, government and regulators can make sure Britain gets the next-generation network that will be needed as services like internet video take off.