Broadband has been an essential utility for years now, but governments are still slowly cottoning onto the fact that they must treat it as one. After years of reports and reviews, the UK government is finally putting a small sum of money on the table to spark some action. Offering $5.5 million in R&D funding for projects that will aid the cause, the Fiber in Water initiative aims to kill two birds with one stone – furthering the UK’s broadband and mobile networks while also reducing leaks from water pipes. The hope is that telcos will be able to extend the country’s advanced broadband and mobile networks into remote and rural (‘hard-to-reach’) areas with existing pipe infrastructure from drinking water…