§ Mr. ConnartyTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the benefits of access to broadband services for rural diversification; and if she will make a statement. [61793]
§ Alun MichaelThe Government are convinced that ICT has a central role in broadening the economic base in rural areas. Stimulating broadband across the whole of the UK, especially outside of large towns and cities, is one of Government's top priorities. Measures to drive further roll-out will include
encouraging infrastructure sharing by telecommunications companies to reduce the cost of roll-out;facilitating satellite broadband deployment, with a fast-track, on-line licensing regime and a review of planning regulations for satellite terminals;using more effective procurement of the public sector's broadband requirements to drive broadband into rural areas and also to improve value for money. The Government are tasking the Office for Government Commerce to investigate what further steps Government Departments can take to procure broadband more effectively and to act as a source of guidance.
§ Mr. ConnartyTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what target she has set for the roll-out of broadband services across the rural community; and if she will make a statement. [61794]
§ Alun MichaelIn February 2002 the Government published "UK Online: the Broadband Future" which set the target for the UK to have the most extensive and competitive broadband market in the G7 by 2005. The Government have put in place a £30 million fund to allow regional development agencies and devolved Administrations to develop schemes for extending broadband into areas that appear commercially unattractive. Along with the Minister for Trade, I have discussed implementation with the regional development agencies in England and they are focusing on how best to target the needs of their region.