UK Govt pledges £30m to broadband

That'll be the same £30m it pledged earlier this year then

By Tim Richardson • Get more from this author

Posted in Telecoms, 9th October 2001 10:56 GMT

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It seems elusive e-minister - Douglas Alexander - will do anything to up his profile at the moment.

Yesterday, he announced that the Government would spend £30 million to "boost the delivery of fast Internet services through broadband technology to all parts of the UK".

The money is to be used to set up pilot projects and feasibility studies into the use and benefits of broadband, we're told.

"Today's announcement marks the latest step as Government along with industry face the challenge of building a Broadband Britain," said Mr Alexander proudly.

Now you may read this and nod your head in approval at his benevolent actions. Okay, so it's nowhere near enough, but great news all the same.

Especially if you add it to the £30 million cash injection for broadband announced in February by the then E-minister, Patricia Hewitt.

Err, hang on.

Perhaps we should get this clear before we go on. This is new money, right? Mr Alexander's announcement yesterday wasn't one of those cheap political stunts where cash already earmarked for a project gets re-announced to make it seem like more money is being allocated?

Um, that's right, admitted a spokesman for the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), it's the same £30 million. Tut, tut. ®

UK Govt backs broadband

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