Broadband (Hansard, 4 July 2002)

§ Malcolm Bruce
To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much her Department has(a) committed to and (b) spent on broadband access in rural areas in each of the last four years. [61173]

§ Mr. Timms
[holding answer 13 June 2002]Promoting broadband access in rural areas is a legitimate use of Government funds in pursuit of economic development objectives as long as it is in line with the guidelines for each fund. It is possible that some expenditure has been made from a variety of funding 477W streams including European Structural Funds, Regional Selective Assistance and the Regional Development Agencies' Strategic Programme.
The Department has made available a £30 million fund to help the Regional Development Agencies and devolved Administrations develop innovative schemes to extend broadband networks. In the first year of this fund (Financial Year 2001–02) the Department transferred £3 million of this fund to the recipients. Many projects funded from this will contribute in whole or in part to rural broadband access.

§ Mr. Gray
To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether broadband will be available in rural areas. [64276]

§ Mr. Timms
Through ADSL, cable and wireless technologies, broadband is available to around 66 per cent. of the population, including in some rural areas, and we expect this proportion to increase. Satellite technology can make broadband available almost anywhere. Our strategy, set out in the December 2001 UK Online Annual Report, includes a number of actions to help make the broadband market more extensive and competitive, including measures to stimulate broadband supply.
In addition, I announced last week that from the autumn there will be: a new network of dedicated regional broadband advisers co-ordinated by the DTI, with the aim of increasing both availability and take-up of broadband in the regions; a new team of procurement experts in the Office of Government Commerce (OGC), providing hands-on support and advice to enable smarter public sector buying of broadband; and, new framework agreements between the Office of Government Commerce (OGC) and suppliers. This will enable public sector organisations to buy broadband quickly and efficiently, without having to negotiate terms and conditions for each purchase while ensuring value for money.

§ Lembit Öpik
To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what initiatives her Department has to extend the availability of broadband internet provision to rural Wales; and if she will make a statement. [65061]

§ Mr. Timms
On 26 June I announced a new broadband team and network of dedicated broadband advisers to help boost roll-out and take-up of broadband across the UK, including in Wales.
The Government have also made available the £30 million UK Broadband fund to help the English Regional Development Agencies and the devolved Administrations develop innovative schemes to extend broadband access. The Welsh Assembly Government will receive £2.67 million and will be using the money to: Link up all educational facilities, libraries and adult learning centres with broadband services to allow the public to access broadband services; and Support a project that will pilot the use of broadband wireless technology at the soon to be deregulated 2.4 GHz frequency in North West Wales.
In addition, the Welsh Assembly Government is developing its own broadband strategy, based upon the findings of their Ubiquitous Broadband Infrastructure Study, and continues to support a number of initiatives across Wales that are designed to bring affordable broadband access within the reach of many more people.