Next Generation Fund to benefit rural communities with super-fast broadband

Far-flung communities and rural areas will benefit from the governments’ £1 billion initiative in the Next Generation Fund aimed at providing next generation, super-fast broadband connection to at least 90 percent of the country.

Business Secretary Lord Mandelson said the Fund would upgrade the UK’s digital infrastructure which is a crucial factor if the country wants to remain globally competitive.

Lord Mandelson said “This investment is about bringing the future of broadband to areas of the country that would otherwise miss out. We cannot underestimate the opportunities this will bring for homes and businesses which is why we are taking action to make sure everyone benefits.”

It is estimated that the current initiatives from the private sector will only reach up to 70 percent of the population with access to super-fast broadband by 2017.

According to Mandelson, the Fund was programmed to provide the UK with a world class communications network to improve innovation and services in digital content,

He said that the market is already delivering superfast internet speeds of 50Mbps to half the country. But this is limited to urban areas. He said the government could not be certain that it would reach the communities that are not currently served, “which is why we are putting in an extra £1billion to support the market.”

“By upgrading our networks we will put the UK at the fore of rapidly developing technologies which will bring jobs, boost business potential and grow our digital economy,” Lord Mandelson added.

The Minister explained that rural communities and far-flung areas with little or not broadband connections would benefit from the investment and added that the government is determined to ensure that homes and businesses in these areas are not left behind.
The objectives of the Next Generation Fund are:

To support Digital Britain’s aim to roll out next generation networks to at least 90% of the UK by 2017;

To support economic growth by incentivising market investment in communications infrastructure to meet the needs of businesses and households;

To maximise links with the Government’s Universal Service Commitment – a parallel broadband investment programme to ensure every community has access to 2Mbps broadband connection by 2012.