§ Mr. SutcliffeTo ask the President of the Board of Trade what plans he has to ensure the United Kingdom has a national fibre optic network; and if he will make a statement. [7606]
Mr. TaylorThe provision of a stable regulatory environment has successfully encouraged the growth of competition in both telecommunications services and infrastructure. This has led to substantial investment in the sector, including rapid growth of optical fibre networks in the UK, to produce a network of seamlessly interconnecting networks. Prices have fallen by 40 per cent. in real terms, quality increased, and number of household covered risen to 93 per cent.
Within the cable sector alone, investment is running at more than £2.5 billion a year, and some 45 per cent. of homes in the country already have the possibility of connection to cable operators.