DIGITAL BRITAIN: Broadband tax on the way

All people who have a copper telephone landline will soon see an additional 50p added to their monthly bills following the government’s announcement of a 6 per year charge that will fund Britain’s future superfast broadband network.

Parliament has stated that its intention is for every UK household to have access to internet at a speed of at least 2MB by 2012.

Most of the cash will go towards improving the currently poor access seen in many rural locations. It is estimated that around 11 per cent of UK homes currently lag behind the target speed.

In total between 150m and 175m will be raised by the ‘tax’.

Prime Minister Gordon Brown has justified the added expense by claiming that access to the internet is now as important as a working electricity or gas supply as Britain fights not to be left behind the likes of Japan and Korea – countries where internet connection speeds are typically up to ten times faster than in the UK.