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Tories say urban high-speed broadband 'the priority'

Posted 19th November 2009 at 10:30am by Kimberley Howson

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Tories say urban high-speed broadband 'the priority'

A Conservative government would encourage the private sector to develop a national high-speed broadband network, according to the Shadow Culture Secretary.

Jeremy Hunt told a debate at the London School of Economics that telecoms companies would be encouraged to take the lead in providing super-fast broadband services, initially to major cities and then rural areas, as reported by the Guardian.

His party would take a "tougher", market-driven approach towards the provision of the necessary broadband infrastructure, he claimed, allowing it to abandon plans for a 50p-a-month tax on all households with a fixed line.

The Conservative Party have frequently spoken out against the government's plan to fund a new national network, claiming it could force some low-income households to abandon their internet connections altogether.

Mr Hunt claimed that once telecoms firms are charging for premium super-fast broadband in the cities, they will be well-placed to fund a national roll-out of the technology.

The need to prioritise speed and economic stimulus would be evident in any Conservative policy on broadband development, he noted.

More news on: Broadband speeds, Broadband coverage

2 comments

  • 1

    William, 19th November 2009.

    Putting fast broadband in rural areas is VERY important too. I think BT should install fibre optic broadband ALL over the UK, and that will stop all the complaints and problems.

    I live in Tadcaster which is between York and Leeds (major cities), and I can get 6.5Mb max... Not good enough.

    Reply
  • 2

    Max Allanson, 19th November 2009.

    @William

    Alot of people don't even get that, I live 7miles from Leicester City Center in the outer suburbs and struggle to get above 2.5mb, i can get 3mb but it becomes horribly unreliable.

    At this point in time, i'd love your 6mb broadband !

    Reply

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