Digital economy bill

[Vic]

In the Queen's speech, the bill will give every business and household a legal right to fast broadband.

Anyone know how private companies can be forced to provide fast broadband to every remote corner of the disunited kingdom?

 

[East Level 2]

The explanation I heard a couple of months ago was that the providers had to offer it but could charge a premium if only a relatively small number wanted it in a particular area.
It was a dumb promise to keep the rurals sweet; not intended for the real world.

 

[Chancy Termites]

With the Chancellor talking about 'resetting' fiscal policy, telecoms and Internet providers calling for Openreach to split from BT, and BT saying they already spend billions on infrastructure that all their competitors use, maybe Openreach will be nationalised and a special QE investment fund will pay for it.

Disaster if so. Public sector always fucks stuff like that up.

 

[yeseye]

The Queens pissed off she can't play Pokemon while she's at Sandringham!

 

[behindthesofa]

The government are providing a £400 subsidy for equipment for satellite / remote wifi access for people who cannot get 2mb speed and will not be able to in next 12 months. So whilst the BT's of this world may not invest in the infrastructure due to remoteness/demand there are niche companies who do, these companies, who have signed up to the scheme cannot charge extra for the equipment either I don't think but no doubt some will find some creative ways around it.

 

[PintDrinker]

Hopefully it's Google fiber lol