The new coalition Governement has published a policy document which outlines a new plan to rollout superfast broadband accross the UK.

However the Labour Governement’s plan to impose a 50p tax on every phone line had been scrapped and instead part of the TV licence fee will be used. The coalition hopes that the private sector, BT and other telecommunication companies will also help with funding. The Tories had always been against the 50p tax although the Liberal Democrats generally supported it. It was thought that most broadband companies were unsure about the tax plan as they feared that it would discourage the private sector from investing in the broadband scheme.

 Broadcaster Jon Snow reportedly said at a Westminster Media Forum recently that he beleives that the TV licence is a regressive tax which can’t survive.  He said ‘ Everyone thinks it is a tax so why is it not called a tax.’

So in effect everyone will  still be paying for the next generation of super fast broadband but hopefully at no extra cost.