Why Broadband Plans Leave Out The Countryside
The government expects that an extra 50 pence per month tax on telephone lines will ensure that the super fast speeds will be available to 90 percent of the population by 2017.The last 10% (if government plans go ahead) or 30% (if they do not) are likely to be in the countryside - but why?
As an attempt to bring high speed broadband to what has been dubbed as the "final third" of the country, The Country Land and Business Association have supported the broadband tax.
However, it could see some people paying the tax in the countryside receiving no improvement in broadband speeds. Clearly this is not just a issue with initial funding.
Many broadband providers are currently offering up to 20mb broadband speeds in the cities, whilst this may be fast it is widely believed that the UK countryside is lagging behind in terms of broadband speeds.
This in part a result of economics - providing broadband in cities is simply more profitable.
However, it"s not a great help that many experts remain dubious, wondering if there is a market for super high speed broadband deals in the UK.
Considering the millions of people who compare broadband deals every day this seems dubious itself.
MPs have also voicing their concerns over the need for government involvement when the report suggested that 70 percent of the UK will have access to high speed broadband if left to private suppliers by 2017.
Specifically, MPs have been criticising the 50p tax levy claiming that public money should not be spent on services that commercial companies will be providing.
Whilst many in parliament believe that the 50p levy would be an unfair way to spend public money, those living in rural areas of the UK are expected to fully support government involvement.
It is believed that if the upgrade is left to companies such as BT and Virgin Media broadband then the countryside will be left behind in terms of access to high speed internet.
Speaking about the Government report Stephen Timms, the Treasury Minister in charge of delivering broadband to Britain said that their reports made clear that public intervention was essential so that some rural areas and other poorer communities wouldn"t be left behind.
Mr Timms said that there were economic, health and education benefits to fast broadband offers.
The government"s Ò£1 billion Next Generation Fund will help bring the benefits of super fast broadband to more communities.