The UK’s Communication Workers Union (CWU) has demanded the government to enclose revenues raised from next year’s 4G license auction and use it to expand broadband internet services in rural areas.
According to the union, the money could take the pressure off BBC funding cuts by using a different stream to fund broadband and leave license fee and digital switchover money where it was meant for.
According to Andy Kerr, CWU Deputy General Secretary, they welcome the Ofcom sale of 4G spectrum but urge the government to seize this opportunity to use the funds as a welcome windfall to inject much-needed cash into superfast broadband infrastructure across the UK.
They believe that a government-led programme of investment in superfast broadband infrastructure is essential to prevent the UK slipping behind our European and global competitors. The internet is worth US$161.21 billion to the UK economy and that will continue to grow as e-commerce expands. However, the US$1.33 trillion committed by Government until 2017 is a long way short of what is needed to take superfast broadband to all homes and businesses across the UK.