UK - The cost of universal broadband would be double previous estimates

[public service] The cost of delivering universal basic broadband across the UK will be at least double previous estimates, communications minister Ed Vaizey has said.

Responding to a question from Stephen Timms on how much the government estimates the Labour government's policy of providing universal access to basic broadband was underfunded, Vaizey said costs would be "at least double".

He said: "We estimate the cost of meeting the Universal Service Commitment would be at least double the funds identified by the previous administration and discussions with industry indicate that the shortfall may be even greater."

In August, David Harrington, head of regulatory affairs for the Communication Management Association told publicservice.co.uk that further clarity was needed from government in terms of how it plans to fund broadband improvement.

Harrington said: "The problem is that no political party has got to grips with what it is going to cost and how quickly it can be done."

The government has also said that Britain will have the best superfast broadband network in Europe by 2015.

Universal broadband costs 'double'