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Darling pushes fast broadband for all in budget – confirms 50 pence broadband tax

In the 2010 Budget today, Alistair Darling confirmed a contraversial 50 pence tax on landlines to provide “broadband for all” in the UK.

Mr. Darling believes access to high-speed broadband is essential for the economy.  It will also be needed to help “create new businesses and hundreds of thousands of new jobs” he said in his budget statement.  He believes the 50 pence landline tax will help to unlock private investment and enable 90 percent of the UK to access superfast broadband services by 2017.

The Tories have already stated that they would scrap the 50 pence tax on landlines if they’re elected, and rely on BT opening it’s network up to competitors and possibly surplus funding from the digital switchover.  However, it has recently come to light that Ofcom has already been in discussion with BT to open up its network to competitors.

Providing broadband for all, particularly in rural areas, is important, but the question is, if you already have a decent broadband connection, would you want to pay a tax on your landline to fund investment in broadband for those who do not have it?