Government broadband plan revealed
THE government will this morning announce an £830m strategy it hopes will make the UK the leading broadband network in Europe by 2015.
A new paper will set out plans to stimulate private investment and encourage competition in the industry.
This will involve encouraging firms to share their infrastructure in order to lower the costs of rolling out fast internet access.
The proposals include connecting every community to the broadband network by the end of this parliament – regardless of how remote they are.
Culture, media and sport minister Jeremy Hunt said: “A superfast network will be the foundation for a new economic dynamism, creating hundreds of thousands of jobs and adding billions to our GDP.
Matthew Fell, CBI director for competitive markets, said: “We welcome the Government’s strategy for achieving the best superfast broadband network in Europe by 2015. Now more than ever, it is crucial that the UK can compete for business and drive economic growth on the basis of its digital infrastructure, particularly in industries where we have a natural strength such as the creative sectors.
“Government must now work with private sector operators to ensure that they have the framework they require to invest with certainty and confidence in the UK market.”