§ Mr. FlookTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry which telephone exchanges in Somerset have been converted to DSL; and what plans there are to convert the remaining exchanges. [73258]
§ Stephen TimmsAt the end of May 2002, ADSL was available to 66 per cent. of households in the UK. A map showing geographical availability of broadband services by one or more of ADSL, cable, wireless and satellite can be found in the UK Online Annual Report [http://www.e-envoy.gov.uk/ukonline/champions/anrep_menu.htm].
We are working with the Broadband Stakeholder Group to help industry increase availability and take-up of broadband throughout the country. As part of this strategy, we have provided £30 million to the RDAs and DAs to help develop innovative solutions for extending networks into areas considered commercially unattractive.
We are acting to improve the business case for service providers in rural areas by examining how the public sector can most effectively procure its own broadband. On June 26, I announced my intention to establish a new Regional Broadband Unit. Its purpose will be to stimulate economic development and enhance the delivery of public services through extending broadband services at the regional and local level.