INCA Welcomes Government Commitment to Next Gen Broadband

The Independent Networks Co-operative Association welcomes the government’s commitment in the budget to support the roll out of next generation ‘superfast’ broadband in areas that are likely to be left behind by the market. Alongside major players like BT, independent projects all over the country are working to bring next generation broadband to their local citizens and businesses.

Much of this effort is being led by the private sector and community initiatives. However it is clear that some public funding is needed to roll out a modern telecommunications infrastructure throughout the country as quickly as possible.

In the public sector cities like Manchester and projects like Digital Region in South Yorkshire are leading the way. In the private sector innovative companies like Geo and H2O Networks are showing how private investment can be brought into play.

In the community sector local action is leading to Fibre To The Home being deployed in deeply rural areas like Alston, Cumbria.

Although the Conservatives oppose the government’s proposed 50p per month landline levy, which has now been confirmed by Darling's proposed budget, INCA welcomes their commitment to providing public funding using a portion of the BBC licence fee to address the Final Third problem.

INCA Chief Executive Malcolm Corbett said: “On its own funding through the levy or the BBC licence fee is not enough to ensure next generation broadband is available to all. However it will make a valuable contribution when added to other public and private investment for regional and local schemes that will ensure less commercially attractive areas are not left behind.”