British unions pressure government to expand broadband goals

The Communications Workers Union (CWU), the British telecom workers' union, is pushing to make the British national broadband plan more ambitious.

The mobilization campaign, similar to Speed Matters, is directed at members of Parliament and other policy makers as the UK further develops its national broadband goals.

The agencies BIS and DCMS released the plan, "Digital Britain," in June 2009. It calls for universal broadband at a 2mpbs level by 2012 and adoption of "superfast" broadband to 90% of UK homes by 2017.

While ambitious, the proposal can and should go farther, says the CWU. Their suggestions include:

• A legally binding obligation to universal broadband, not simply a commitment
• "Superfast" access to 100% of UK homes by 2017
• Accessible broadband for those with disabilities
• A legal requirement for the telecommunications industry to provide workforce training
• Encouragement of greater competition in the pay TV market

Another important issue is how the plan would be paid for. Currently, the plan proposes a 50 pence tax on all fixed lines, which would raise between 150 and 170 million pounds to pay for deployment to the "final third" of UK homes. However, CWU recommends the levy be extended to mobile operators as well, since they will equally benefit from increased broadband access.

The CWU requested swift legislative action on these points. On both sides of the pond, unions are taking the lead on broadband policy - and they aren't accepting easy solutions.

"Delivering Digital Britain" (CWU)