§ Mr. KeetchTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when telecommunication companies will enable exchanges to provide broadband to all users; and if she will make a statement. [121742]
§ Mr. TimmsBroadband can be provided by several technologies many of which (e.g. cable modem and fixed wireless) are independent of the existing telephone infrastructure. The timing of the investment necessary to extend broadband access is a commercial decision for the companies involved.
Our overall target is for the UK to have the most extensive and competitive broadband market in the G7 by 2005. On 22 May 2003 I issued a joint statement with my right hon. Friend the Minister for State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs confirming the Government's aim that every community in the UK, irrespective of location, should have the opportunity to access affordable broadband from a competitive market.
§ Mr. WebbTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans she has to ensure that residents of communities not served by a broadband-enabled telephone exchange can benefit from the provision of broadband to schools in those communities. [1218981
§ Mr. Timms[holding answer 26 June 2003]: I refer the hon. Member for North Avon to my statement on 1 May 2003, Official Report, columns 443–58. In particular to columns 446–48 where I addressed this point in some detail.