4G spectrum cash should be used for rural broadband

It has been suggested by a union recently that the government should use some of the revenues from the 4G spectrum auction next year to expand broadband access in rural parts of the UK.

Next year will see the UK’s 4G spectrum auction take place, with mobile network operators bidding on the spectrum so that they can use it for improved mobile broadband networks. However, one union group has recently suggested that the government should use some of the revenue from the 4G spectrum auction to fund broadband internet services in rural parts of the UK.

The suggestion was made by the UK’s Communication Workers Union (CWU). Officials from the union have said that the government should enclose revenues from the auction to fund broadband in rural areas so that pressure can be taken off the BBC funding cuts. They said that this would provide an alternative means of funding, which would allow license fee and digital switchover money to be used where it was meant to be used.

Andy Kerr from the Communication Workers Union said that the auction was welcomed by the union but added that the government should take the opportunity to use some of the revenues raised to provide a boost for the rollout of superfast broadband across the UK including in rural areas.

The union said that it is vital that the rollout of superfast broadband in the UK is given a boost so that the country does not fall behind other countries across Europe in terms of broadband access and speeds.

Do you agree that some of the auction funding should be used in this way? Let us know with your comments

Source – Wireless Federation