New broadband minister announced
30th January 2008
Baroness Shriti Vadera has replaced Steven Timms as UK broadband minister, it has been announced.
She has replaced Mr Timms as communications minister for the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform after a cabinet reshuffle.
Mr Timms had previously been in talks with UK broadband providers over how to improve internet access throughout the country, reports Computer Weekly.
A spokesperson for the department has said the biggest problem the industry currently faces is addressing ways to incentivise reform in the market.
Currently, he said, there is little reason for private businesses to invest in network infrastructure.
However, a spokesperson for Virgin Media has responded by saying that further government regulation will discourage market competition, which has so far meant that people are getting a faster service at a cheaper price.
His comments coincide with the launch of a number of private and public schemes to increase high-speed broadband access throughout the UK.
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