April 4, 2016

In November 2015, the Prime Minister announced the Government’s intention to implement a new broadband Universal Service Obligation (USO).  The aim is to give people the right to request an affordable broadband connection, at a minimum speed, from a designated provider, up to a reasonable cost threshold.

As a first step towards delivering a broadband USO, the Government is consulting on new enabling powers that would give the Secretary of State an explicit power to introduce a broadband USO and to require Ofcom to review the USO, as appropriate, to ensure that in future it continues to reflect connectivity needs.

The consultation explains the Government’s rationale for a broadband USO, the proposed measures that it intends to put in legislation, and the roadmap that it will follow to take this work forward.

The consultation closes on 18 April 2016.  To access the consultation documentation, click here.