Budget news: Business boosted by broadband investment

Thu, 23 Apr 2009

Yesterday’s Budget confirmed government plans to deliver a universal service in broadband at 2 megabits per second by 2012.

The government also underlined its commitment to help business take full advantage of the opportunities offered in the creative industries by announcing a review of Ofcom’s powers and duties to strike the right balance between supporting competition and encouraging investment.

The government has been in consultation with a design group made up of network experts on the best and most cost-effective ways of delivering a universal service via a range of solutions, including wired and mobile networks.

The Budget also approved ‘Digital Region’, a £100m project led by Yorkshire Forward, which will introduce next-generation broadband across the South Yorkshire region, boosting economic activity through high-speed connectivity.

Minister for communications, telecoms and broadcasting, Stephen Carter, says: “The UK economy needs a digital infrastructure and it needs higher levels of connectivity and greater levels of participation.

“The Digital Britain commitments in today’s Budget will establish a 2mbps Universal service as a baseline for both Next Generation Networks and for the next generation delivery of public services.”