Does superfast broadband Britain stink of sewage?

Sewers, however, provide an opportunity to lay fibre relatively cheaply as cables can simply be run along existing tunnelling.

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The UK has 360,000 miles of sewers, according to H2O Networks, which is in discussions with various councils to hook up cities across the country with sewer-laid fibre.

The first city to get the subterranean fibre treatment will be either Bournemouth, Dundee or Northampton - a decision on which city will be first is due to be announced by the end of April - though all three will be hooked up by H20 Networks eventually, according to a company spokeswoman.

Work on connecting the first city is due to start in September, with the fibre deployment completed by March 2010.

The H2O Networks spokeswoman told silicon.com larger cities such as Manchester and London are too big to tackle "at this stage". The three contenders for the first Fibrecity claim are in the running because the company has already been working with their councils, she said, adding that other cities around the country "will happen".

Last year, H2O Networks won a contract to connect a student hall of residence at the University of Aberdeen via fibre laid down the drains.