Liberal Democrats confirm superfast broadband plans

The Liberal Democrats have highlighted some of the policies which will help to improve business broadband services.

In an interview with technology website V3.co.uk, shadow business secretary John Thurso explained how his party supported the 50p landline levy proposed by the current government to fund the rollout of superfast broadband.

He said: “High-speed broadband will be vital to the future prosperity of the UK economy and will enable consumers to access exciting new services.

“We believe that some public investment will be needed to ensure that remote and rural areas of the country don’t miss out.”

However, Mr Thurso added that the money raised from the tax would have to be appropriately targeted, while exemptions should be made for pensioners and the less wealthy.

Although Labour and the Liberal Democrats support a 50p landline levy, the Conservative Party has come out against the idea, instead supporting private investments and the use of funds from the licence fee.

At present, the government has a target to provide 2MB broadband to all homes and businesses by 2012.

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