Category: Technology

Brits will pay 50p tax for faster broadband

18-Jun-09 10:36

After the release of the Digital Britain Report it has emerged that each Briton with a fixed phone line will be charged a small levy of 50p in order to pay for faster internet access for all. I think that this sounds like a great idea in theory, although there are bound to be people who disagree.

An Ofcom report suggests that two in five people who are not online are ‘self-excluded' and have no interest in being online even if they can afford it. This ‘self-excluded' section of the population may see this tax as an added cost which they will not ultimately benefit from. Similarly with the third of people not online who claim to be ‘financially-excluded' and cannot afford a computer and broadband may see this as another added cost which will prevent them even further from getting online.

Thinkbroadband has also highlighted that this £6 per year from each household may not even cover the cost needed for broadband for all. In order for this to work the Government would need to come up with a way to finance the scheme properly, using a tax system on the public but also topping up the funds perhaps by using some of the BBC licence fee or taxing ISPs.

Although there will still be people who choose to opt out of connecting to broadband for whatever reason, at least the Government should ensure that the funds which they collect will be sufficient to implement the broadband for all policy in the first place, otherwise this scheme could fall flat on its face!

Danni

Are you living in a broadband ‘not-spot’?

28-May-09 10:21

Research from the BBC and SamKnows released yesterday, shows that three million homes in the UK currently have broadband speeds of less than 2Mbps or in worst cases, no connection at all. With the Digital Britain report due out in June, I wonder is the Government's promise of universal broadband for all a realistic possibility?

It is hard to believe that some areas of the UK still can't get online. I would find this so frustrating! We now live in an age where pretty much everything can be accessed via the internet such as; breaking news stories, online stores, bank accounts, social networks, the list goes on. Even Ryan Air has recently introduced a £40 charge for passengers who don't log on and print out their boarding pass before arriving at the airport. This will surely alienate the unfortunate minority who cannot access the internet the night before they go on holiday; it may not be their fault after all.

It would be helpful if there were a way to pin-point the areas with slow broadband speed or limited access. For a lot of people the level of broadband access would be a factor in determining which area they would like to live or set-up a business. For many businesses today it is essential to have the facility to check emails and search the internet on a daily basis. Thinkbroadband has just created a broadband ‘not-spot' website which will allow consumers to enter their details, should they live in an area with no broadband connection or a very slow speed. From here Thinkbroadband can offer advice and talk to consumers about relevant broadband developments and improvements due in their area.

I am fortunate that I have no problems with the broadband speeds where I live, but this type of website would be a useful tool for the unlucky UK residents who do. Hopefully the Government's promise is sincere and all areas of the UK will have reliable broadband connections by 2012, but as the research suggests there may still be a long way to go.

Danni

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