Abstract
The National Audit Office has warned that the government is two years behind schedule in its plan to bring broadband to 44 rural areas by 2015. It now looks like only nine of these areas will be linked up in that time.
A further problem highlighted in the NAO report is the lack of competition between commercial partners. BT is now the only service provider left in the bidding and has secured all of the 26 contracts awarded so far through the government’s rural broadband programme. According to the NAO, the company will pocket £1.2 billion in public funds as a result of the rural broadband roll out.
A further problem highlighted in the NAO report is the lack of competition between commercial partners. BT is now the only service provider left in the bidding and has secured all of the 26 contracts awarded so far through the government’s rural broadband programme. According to the NAO, the company will pocket £1.2 billion in public funds as a result of the rural broadband roll out.
Original language | English |
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Specialist publication | The Conversation |
Publisher | The Conversation UK |
Publication status | Published - 9 Jul 2013 |
Bibliographical note
Claire Wallace receives funding from the RCUK Digital Economy programme made to the dot.rural Digital Economy Hub..Godred Fairhurst receives funding from RCUK (Digital Economy Programme), Technology Strategy Board (TSB Digital Advanced Rural Testbed) and the European Space Agency (ESA ARTES Programme).
Leanne Townsend receives funding from RCUK as part of the dot.rural Digital Economy Hub at the University of Aberdeen.
Nikhil Ninan receives funding from RCUK Digital Economy programme made to the dot.rural Digital Economy Hub.
Keywords
- Broadband
- Digital economy
- Rural