This week, the Government received State aid clearance from the European Union for its £530 million rural broadband programme. Investment in broadband and a wider commitment to increased connectivity, is a key part of the Government’s growth agenda and the rural broadband programme is just one element of the plans. These comprise:
· The allocation of £530 million to stimulate commercial investment to roll out high speed broadband in rural communities
· Investing £150 million into ‘super-connected cities’ across the UK
· Investing up to £150 million into the ‘Mobile Infrastructure Project’ which will improve mobile connectivity in areas where coverage is poor or non-existent
The Government remains committed to ensuring virtually everyone has access to at least 2 Megabits per second (Mbps) and that superfast broadband is available to 90 per cent of people by 2015.
Commenting, Caroline Spelman, MP for Meriden, said: “This approval is enormously welcome news which means we can get on with rolling out superfast broadband across the country, thereby creating growth, jobs and economic prosperity. I have many constituents in rural or outlying areas and I know that superfast broadband will be a hugely beneficial to them, especially to those who are trying to run businesses in the countryside away from towns and cities which already have easy access to facilities.”