If the Conservatives win the election they have pledged to give Britain the fastest broadband network in Europe.

The Tories plan to boost business and create jobs by delivering broadband speeds of 100 megabits. They also promise high speed broadband of 100Mbps will be delivered to most homes by 2017 compared to the current Governments promise of at least 2 Mbps to most homes by 2012.  They want the next generation of companies such as Google and Microsoft to be created here in the UK.

The Tories say if they win the election Britain ‘ will be the first country in Europe to extend super fast 100Mbps broadband accross the population’.  The Government has responded by saying that they have already promised this and it will be partly funded by the 50p monthly tax on fixed lines. The Conservatives are hoping that the market will deliver most of their plan although they may have to use some of the BBC licence fee as well.

The Tories consider the plans an important part of getting the economy moving again.

Shadow Cabinet Office Minister Francis Maude was quoted as saying ” Our proposals will make the UK the most technology friendly government in the world, introducing a right to government data, extending super- fast broadband and creating a much more level playing field for small and medium companies.”