Welcome move to secure minimum broadband speeds for homes and businesses

Published: 20 Dec 2017

By: NIC

Tagged:

Chairman of the National Infrastructure Commission Lord Adonis today welcomed the Government’s plans for a new Universal Service Obligation to give residents and businesses access to better broadband services.

The move will offer a legal right to at least 10 megabits per second broadband speed by 2020.  This is the speed that regulators Ofcom report is needed to meet the requirements of an average family.

Introducing a Universal Service Obligation for broadband was one of 12 infrastructure priorities identified in June as needing urgent ministerial attention – but Lord Adonis added that ahead of this becoming law, urgent action is needed to help those currently facing poor services.  Last week, he also wrote to Ofcom urging them to work with Government to tackle the issue of poor mobile coverage. 

Chairman of the National Infrastructure Commission Lord Adonis said:

“With more and more services available online only, having access to a fast, reliable broadband speed is essential for residents and businesses alike.

“Introducing a Universal Service Obligation was one of 12 infrastructure priorities we identified in June, so I’m pleased to see the Government taking action which will give people a legal right to minimum speeds by 2020.

“But in the meantime, there are communities suffering poor broadband and mobile services now that need help – which is why I’ve written to Ofcom urging them to work urgently with Government to find some immediate solutions to this pressing issue.

“Our forthcoming National Infrastructure Assessment – the first of its kind for our country – will also look at the longer-term investments needed as our demands for ever-greater speeds continues.”

 

Share this article

<

Recent Articles

Advice to ministers provides “welcome clarity” on Clean Power 2030 trajectory
T pylons being constructed

Advice to ministers provides “welcome clarity” on Clean Power 2030 trajectory

The National Energy System Operator (NESO) has today (5 November 2024) published details of its advice to government on the steps needed to transform electricity generation, the transmission grid and other parts of the UK’s energy system in order to deliver the government’s Clean Power 2030 objectives. The analysis notes that while meeting the 2030...

5 Nov 2024 By
Budget response: welcome announcements on capital funding, HS2 and roads
Workers fixing a pothole in Buckinghamshire

Budget response: welcome announcements on capital funding, HS2 and roads

Today (Wednesday 30 October) the government has set out its autumn Budget. It contains a number of infrastructure-related announcements including changes to capital investment rules, funding to complete the HS2 link between Old Oak Common and Euston station, and additional support for fixing roads. In response, Commission Chair Sir John Armitt said: On changes to...

30 Oct 2024 By
Energy transition crucial to North East’s growth, Commission hears
Newcastle City Centre

Energy transition crucial to North East’s growth, Commission hears

Infrastructure’s role in building a thriving regional economy for the North East was on the agenda as the Commission’s visited Newcastle yesterday (Wednesday, 16 October), and maximising the potential of the region’s existing expertise in renewable energy, as the country shifts towards a fully electric economy, featured high on the agenda. At a roundtable chaired...

17 Oct 2024 By

Evidence_Icon_Turquoise Created with Sketch.

Explore data used in the Commission's research, and gain insights from across UK infrastructure