The UK's position as one of the leading broadband-enabled countries is under threat unless its data centre infrastructure is overhauled, it was claimed today.

Alex Rabbetts, managing director of data centre specialists Migration Solutions, warned that London is on the verge of running out of capacity.

"Unless there is concerted action London will run out of data centre capacity by 2012 and not be able to support the new broadband networks and services," he said.

The Broadband Stakeholder Group (BSG) recently set a target for the UK to remain in the top quarter of international broadband penetration by 2012.

"I agree with the target, but it will mean that data volumes are going to 'hockey stick' against the backdrop of a lack of data centre space in the capital," said Rabbetts.

"Emerging environmental regulation makes the construction of new space problematic and expensive, and the impending power demands needed to build the infrastructure for Olympic games will be extraordinary.

"These factors will conspire to leave London with no spare data centre capacity for the growth envisaged by the BSG, or in the business plans of the network operators, web 2.0 services providers and funds that have invested in them."

Rabbetts believes that provision for data centre capacity should be included in the national strategy for new broadband networks and services.

"Data centres are an integral part of the broadband supply chain," he said. "High value employment, a competitive economy and great web 2.0 services all depend on this perspective being understood by the people who plan and build our networks, homes, office buildings and cities."