Broadband Universal Service Obligation

Lord Vaizey of Didcot Excerpts

Wednesday 23rd March 2016 Written Statements

[The Minister for Culture and the Digital Economy (Mr Edward Vaizey)]

In November, the Prime Minister announced the Government’s intention to implement a new broadband universal service obligation (USO)—heralding a step change in our ambition for broadband services and reflecting that many now see broadband as an essential service much like electricity and water.

Maintaining momentum on our commitment to implement the USO in this Parliament, I am pleased to announce today’s launch of our consultation on the first step, which is to clarify our powers in primary legislation. The consultation document explains the Government’s rationale for the USO, the proposed measures that we intend to put in legislation, and the road map that we will follow to take this work forwards.

The consultation, which runs until 18 April, is available at:

https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/broadband-universal-service-obligation.

I would encourage you to respond and look forward to hearing your views.

[HCWS645]