Posted: 19th Aug, 2003 By: MarkJ
Tory MP and Shadow Minister for Trade & Industry, Michael Fabricant, has put forward the idea of using a universal service obligation (USO) to ensure that BT makes broadband available to everyone. But that's not all:
Speaking to The Register, Mr Fabricant said: "We need to guarantee much faster speeds to subscribers. I am currently looking at ways we might speed up the roll-out of true broadband.
In very remote areas, satellite and wireless networks are available, but these alternative platforms have their disadvantages and are more costly than cable.
It may be necessary to cross-subsidise services and impose a universal supply obligation on BT. Alternatively, tax breaks might be offered as an additional incentive," he said.It's not the first time that such ideas have been put forward, indeed the current government has already ruled it out as being "
not yet justified".
One other problem might be that BT is also a commercial company, thus rivals would be justified in complaining of anti-competitive favouritism. More @
The Register.