Superfast Broadband

Debate between Lord Sugar and Baroness Neville-Rolfe

Thursday 26th November 2015 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Neville-Rolfe]

My Lords, I do not know the answer to that. There are a number of different providers and charges vary because it is a competitive market.

[Lord Sugar (Non-Afl)]

My Lords, the noble Baroness will recognise the high capital cost of laying fibre cables. The return on investment simply does not work to service areas where there are not so many people. I understood from her that the Government will insist that service providers carry this out. Does she not feel that this will end up with other consumers having their prices increased to recover the costs of this?

[Baroness Neville-Rolfe]

My Lords, this is an important mission but time is needed for legislation, proper consultation and developing the arrangements with Ofcom. Obviously, the financial arrangements are to be determined and we will look at different options, including an industry cost-sharing mechanism.