Culture secretary calls for advanced digital economy
Wednesday 14th July 2010
Managed hosting services could come to the fore to an even greater extent over the next five years if the government realises its vision for a digital economy.
Jeremy Hunt, the culture secretary, has claimed that the Con-Lib coalition is aiming for the UK's broadband infrastructure to be the envy of Europe by 2015.
Under government plans, universal high-speed broadband will enable the delivery of increasingly advanced online services.
Mr Hunt told the all-party parliamentary media group that private sector investment will be sought in order to boost connectivity across the UK.
He said the government would be creating the right regulatory framework to encourage internet service providers to deliver essential technology services.
However, Mr Hunt noted that there will still be some role for public funding as the market will not deliver comprehensive coverage in rural areas of the UK.
Labour's plan for a 50p per month broadband tax, designed to fund the roll-out of next-generation internet services, has been dropped by the new government.
Written by Debra Hastings-Henry