Broadband for all, at a price

In order to pay for the creation of a superfast broadband network that will provide a minimum broadband service for all households, the government is planning to tax every phone line to the tune of £6 per year.

The estimated cost of building a network that is capable of delivering this service to all homes in the UK is in the region of £200 million, whereas the broadband tax on phone lines is estimated to bring in around £150 million a year!

The government plans to use a mix of fixed line, mobile and satellite broadband services to reach all homes, especially those that are located in remote areas, where there may be a fixed phone line but, because of the distance from the exchange, broadband is not viable.