One plan under consideration calls for tractor traverses from the base on the coast at McMurdo to the pole via the newly established Leverett Glacier route to transport the cable.

BBC: Internet to reach South Pole

Transport company Stagecoach has urged the government to introduce tough new measures to tackle the increase in cable theft from the railways.

BBC: Call to tackle cable theft from railways

Tory Transport Secretary Philip Hammond said a graduate tax, put forward by Lib Dem Business Secretary Vince Cable but now ruled out, was "unfair".

BBC: Tories may back 'progressive' student fees compromise