Written question asked by Tim Farron (Liberal Democrat) on Monday, 23 May 2016, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 26 May 2016 (named day). It was answered by Lord Vaizey of Didcot (Conservative) on Thursday, 26 May 2016 on behalf of the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.

Broadband

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, on what basis the contribution to broadband installation costs for the very remotest properties will be calculated; and whether there will be an upper limit on the contribution which individual households are required to make.

Answer: Work is ongoing on the design of the broadband Universal Service Obligation (USO) and the reasonable cost threshold. The independent telecoms regulator Ofcom will provide technical analysis and recommendations to help inform both of these, as well as identify the premises likely to be within the USO footprint. These are expected to be predominantly in rural areas, but there will also be urban and suburban homes and businesses eligible to request a connection under the USO.

Secondary information