A committee of MPs is asking the question: “Is the Government’s 2Mbit/s broadband data rate target ambitious enough?”
The Business and Enterprise Committee is to examine the Government’s Digital Britain report and will ask whether the target for universal access to broadband at a speed of 2Mbit/s by 2012 is fast enough.
It will also look at the Government’s plan to propose a levy on copper lines to fund next generation access.
The Digital Britain report was published earlier this month after months of preparation.
The report stated: “Availability of broadband has two components: the right network today and the right network tomorrow. To ensure all can access and benefit from the network of today, we confirm our intention to deliver the Universal Service Broadband Commitment at 2Mbit/s by 2012.”
The Government believes this can be delivered through upgrades to the existing copper and wireless networks.
But is also “propose public support for the network of tomorrow so that consumers in the Final Third who will not be reached by the market can enjoy next generation broadband. This will be a longer project which involves what amounts to installing a new network.”
Now MPs are to ask whether the Government's plans for next generation access will actually work.
Written evidence on broadband provision should be sent to the Committee before Friday 25 September 2009.
See: Comment: Digital Britain is failed opportunity