Mark Lancaster, MP, today called for an introduction of superfast broadband, at speeds of up to 100 Mbps, to be made available across Milton Keynes. Mark has been a fervent supporter of improvements to broadband proficiency in Milton Keynes, having led a parliamentary delegation in 2006 to investigate the shortcomings of the broadband provision in the UK and he therefore supports plans to increase competition in the broadband market so that a better service may be provided for customers.

The proposed Conservative plan will:
• Open up BT’s ‘local loop’ monopoly to other telecommunication operators, and review unfair business rate rules.
• Investigate the use of sewers and other utility infrastructure to lay broadband cables.
• Allow telegraph poles to be fitted with fibre optic cables, rather than old fashioned copper wire.
• Ensure that all new homes are capable of receiving superfast broadband through a fibre to the home network.
• Use money currently allocated to the digital TV national switchover to help establish a universal network, and after 2012, look at using this money to ensure superfast broadband reaches rural areas.
Progress has been made following the delegations visit to Parliament but Mark Lancaster is determined to deliver an even better service appropriate for a high tech city such as Milton Keynes; 

Mark said: “ Milton Keynes’ homes and businesses deserve access to the latest 21st Century technology. It’s time to end the digital divide and deliver superfast broadband to all parts of the city and our rural community.

Although I understand only too well the historical difficulty faced over this issue in Milton Keynes due to our unique infrastructure and grid road system, Conservative plans will open up the BT monopoly and increase competition providing better value for money for all customers by ensuring the appropriate infrastructure is in place.”
Source: Ofcom, Summary of telecoms and internet take-up, residential summary, Q 1 2009.
from http://www.ofcom.org.uk/research/cm/cmrnr09/charts/telecoms.pdf