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Tories superfast broadband policy could lose them votes

According to broadband analyst company Point Topic, the Tories’ “wait and see” approach on public investment for superfast broadband will provide their opponents with ammunition in several marginal constituencies.

The company claims that many Conservative-held seats are in areas that are most likely to be in need of public money to provide superfast broadband (dubbed “Superband” by Point Topic).
 
The party may face accusations from more rural communities over their ability to fund supebroadband investment in those areas that really need it.  That could in turn lose them votes where they really need them.
 
On March 10 the Conservatives revealed their technology manifesto and pledged to give Britain the fastest broadband speeds in Europe if they win the next general election.

But the party hasn’t really talked of subsidising any broadband plans, but may rely on BT opening up its network to more competition, or potentially using any surplus of the BBC license fee already in use as part of the digital TV switchover.
 
The Government already has plans to provide broadband access to almost all of the UK population by 2012 as part of a universal service commitment, and Next-Generation Access (superfast broadband) by 2017.

Point Topic believes the Tory approach gives them advantage in not having to raise income taxes as the money may come from the BBC instead when it becomes available in 2012. “The disadvantage is that investment in this vital area is held back for at least two years” says Tim Johnson, Chief Analyst at Point Topic.
 
“Personally I think that would be a bad thing. With Britain struggling to emerge from recession I believe the benefits from extending and speeding the spread of superband could make it one of the Government’s best choices for investment”, added Johnson.