The Inquirer, a British web site that is ground zero for computer industry gossip - Austin American Statesman
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BBC licence fee will pay for broadband
THE COALITION CABINET OFFICE said it will use public revenue from the BBC's licence fee to pay for broadband.
In a 36-page "programme for government" report, the Government outlined its first official coalition plan.
Binning Labour's 50 pence broadband tax idea, the coalition revealed it will pump the BBC for cash instead, saying, "If necessary, we will consider using the part of the TV licence fee that is supporting the digital switchover to fund broadband in areas that the market alone will not reach."
The coalition also wants to "ensure that BT and other infrastructure providers allow the use of their assets to deliver such broadband, and we will seek to introduce superfast broadband."
The BBC was then put in the bizarre position of having to quote itself to confirm the coalition's intentions. It said, "We note the reference to the possible use of an element of the licence fee on broadband roll out."
"We look forward to discussing this with the Government," one BBC department told another.
The coalition has confirmed that the new Minister of Broadband will be Ed Vaizey, MP - the horse we backed yesterday. Vaizey will oversee the implementation of the Government's digital economy plans. µ
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@Carl Barron
Actually virgin cable has a 1.5gb download allowance (in the contracts small print), then virgin limits your internet speed to 2.5mb.
It is absolutely pointless pushing High Speed Broadband in the UK when most all ISP’s have a limited download cap. Hence the faster you download the sooner your connection speed is either restricted or cut off completely, unless with Virgin who do give a genuine unlimited download. No one seems to be addressing this very important issue.
Signed Carl Barron chairman of agpcuk
Now the Government is getting involved in the Internet it will not be too many years before they take total control - they cannot help themselves - they see something the great unwashed have, and they will have to tax it, and control it. The masses cannot be allowed to have something which is uncontrolled - they may use it to rebel. Give them some more TV channels to keep them subdued, add a Red Button here and there and call it interactive, that should numb their minds a few more years, so they do not notice what is happening untill it is too late.
That the plan all along? THat surplus from the switchover fund would fund 2Mbps broadband to the sticks. The 50p levy was about "superfast broadband" - fibre to the home or equivalent - in built up areas.