Written question asked by Alan Duncan (Conservative) on Wednesday, 6 December 2000, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 20 December 2000. It was answered by Patricia Hewitt (Labour) on Wednesday, 20 December 2000 on behalf of the Department of Trade and Industry.

Dept of Trade and Industry

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what impact the recent auction for broadband fixed wireless access will have on the Government's aim of making broadband access universally available. - Inc figure and ref to "Our Countryside: The Future".

Answer: Mr. Duncan: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what impact the recent auction for broadband fixed wireless access will have on the Government's aim of making broadband access universally available. [141657] Ms Hewitt: Broadband Fixed Wireless Access licences have now been issued for an area covering nearly 60 per cent. of the population, including Scotland, Northern Ireland and the North of England. Wireless is only one way of delivering bandwidth services. Other ways include DSL over copper telephone lines, cable modems, third generation mobile and satellite. As stated in the White Paper "Our Countryside: The Future", the Government will work through the development agencies, and in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales, to develop effective strategies for the roll-out of higher bandwidth services in rural areas.

Secondary information