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Budget to fund fast broadband coverage
Thursday 23rd April 2009, by Daniel King
This week's Budget included plans to boost internet services across the UK by 2012.
As part of chancellor Alistair Darling's financial package, funding is to be made available to bring the whole of Britain's broadband technology up to speeds of two megabits per second.
In addition, it was confirmed a series of consultations will take place with the BBC Trust to discuss how the apparent under-spend relating to the Digital Switchover Help Scheme can be used to promote the roll-out and take-up of broadband.
The government claims that by providing a more universal range of internet services, it will be able to enhance offerings in other areas such as learning and skills development, as well as encouraging innovation.
It is suggested this will also have a positive impact on the creative industries and will put the UK at the forefront of high-speed national coverage.
Minister Stephen Carter commented: "At two megabits per second, internet users are guaranteed a quality of broadband capable of offering a wide range of applications, including the majority of public services and video-rich content such as the BBC iPlayer."
Experts in the field of design are also to be consulted on how best to implement a universal web platform across the UK, taking things like cost and efficiency into consideration.
It is hoped that the results of these discussions will form part of the final Digital Britain report.
Prior to the Budgetary announcement, a spokeswoman from the National Endowment for Science, Technology and the Arts (Nesta) called for more investment in such new technologies.
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