PRESS RELEASE

Moore Welcome New Broadband Announcement For Rural Areas

Michael Moore MP

08-Jun-2010

The Government today announced new measures to boost access to high speed broadband in rural areas.

The measures aim to bring super-fast broadband to rural areas to prevent a new digital divide between urban and rural communities. As part of the measures, the Government will open up existing infrastructure to reduce the costs of laying new fibre to stimulate investment in next generation networks.

The money needed to support the roll-out of superfast broadband will come from the cancellation the Independently Funded News Consortia (IFNC) pilot projects for regional TV. However, the Government has also commissioned a review of local TV services to report in the autumn.

Commenting, local MP Michael Moore said

Local people and businesses regularly raise the issue of broadband services, and it is clear that improving broadband services is crucial for jobs and services in rural areas like the Borders.

This announcement is good news for areas such as the Borders and highlights the coalition Government’s commitment to securing a digital revolution throughout the whole country.

ENDS

Notes To Editors:

1. Further information on today’s announcement by the Culture Secretary, Jeremy Hunt MP, can be found at the link indicated.
   
   Announcement by the Culture Ssecretary, Jeremy Hunt MP

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