Now secondary legislation has been laid, firing the
starting gun on the scheme which will see
communications providers exempt from business rates on
new fibre for 5 years, backdated to 1 April 2017.
Local Government Minister, , said:
From the country’s most rural locations, to our big
cities, we want everyone to benefit from fast,
affordable and reliable broadband.
With this new legislation now in place, people can
expect the rapid installation of new fibre, paving
the way for better connectivity across the country.
From making it easier to work from home to allowing
digital businesses to flourish, our measures are
creating the right conditions for more high-skilled,
high-paid jobs of the future.
By driving improvements in the speed, service quality,
security and reliability of broadband services, the Act
will help transform the way modern businesses work
together, reach their consumers and target their export
markets.
As well benefiting businesses, full fibre broadband
will also increase internet speeds for households and
enable users to access more services online with
multiple devices. For example, simultaneously streaming
high definition TV and films, playing online games, and
working from home quicker and more reliably than ever
before.
These measures will provide important support for a
more productive economy and help build a Britain fit
for the future.
Minister for Digital, , said:
We are building a Britain that is fit for the future,
and creating the right conditions to stimulate
industry investment in infrastructure. People need
good connectivity wherever they work, live, and
travel and initiatives like our business rates relief
scheme are key to us delivering this.
At the 2016 Autumn Statement, the government announced
£1 billion of new funding to boost the UK’s digital
infrastructure. This includes investment of £400
million in a new Digital Infrastructure Investment Fund
to support emerging fibre broadband providers.
Today’s announcement builds on the recent, pioneering
new Digital
Strategy, which has skills, infrastructure and
innovation at its heart to support Britain’s
world-leading digital economy.
As we make the most of the opportunities presented by
exiting the European Union, it will help to make the UK
the best place to start and run a digital business –
creating more of the high-skilled, high-paid jobs of
the future.
