Queen's Speech outlines new 'right to fast broadband'
Soon every family in the UK will have the right to demand 'fast' broadband, it was announced in the Queen's Speech. However, families in rural areas may still have to pay thousands of pounds to access it.
Under the new Digital Economy Bill, it's anticipated that up to one million extra people will gain access to fast broadband that was either not available or not economically viable previously. However, some families still face an uphill challenge to get connected, according to officials.
People living in these rural areas will be required to make a financial contribution towards having a broadband connection and typically these costs run into hundreds or even thousands of pounds. However, villages and communities in these rural areas can come together to share the cost of laying fibre optic cables. The Bill also gives all consumers the right to automatic compensation if their internet services fail and it will force internet service providers to make it easier for customers to switch providers.
According to the Conservative manifesto, no premises would be “left behind” in connecting to superfast broadband — with superfast broadband defined as connection speeds of 25 Mbps. However, the new pledge only guarantees 10 Mbps. Officials state that this speed is good enough to download television services and for streaming video, but critics warn that these speeds may not be sufficient for business needs.
The new 'Broadband Universal Service Obligation' means that having a good speed and internet access will be defined as an essential service similar to that of electricity and water. The recent announcement through the Speech was given a cautious welcome by businesses. Adam Marshall, of the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), said: “If implemented in full and at pace, this could go some way to improving the poor digital connectivity that far too many firms face."
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