ISPA regretfully notes the complete lack of understanding required to help the development of small scale broadband networks within the UK and is disappointed at the adoption of this short term thinking, especially when businesses are looking for help from government in attracting inward investment in infrastructure projects.
Rather than boosting small scale projects, the changes to calculations announced increase (in some cases by a factor of 10 times) the costs for a small scale community project which is in contrast to Government's previous statements on this issue.
ISPA recognises the reduction of the fibre rate for new NGA access providers to £20 per premise connected, but notes that the adopted methodology may be more expensive for FTTC networks that have already been deployed and it does not allow for models to be developed outside of those adopted by the incumbent operator.
ISPA calls for an urgent review of the new rating system and will continue to seek the active support of Government to make the case for realistic, lower rateable values to encourage investment in community, rural and alternative network investment.
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Notes to the editor:
The Internet Services Providers’ Association (ISPA) was established in 1995 as a trade association to represent providers of Internet services in the . ISPA promotes competition, self-regulation and the development of the Internet industry. For a list of members or other information about ISPA, please consult the website www.ispa.org.uk
The views expressed in this release are those of the Internet Services Providers’ Association (ISPA) and do not necessarily reflect the corporate policies of the individual companies that are members of the Association or other organisations that may be mentioned in the release. For further editorial information please contact the ISPA Press Office (020 7340 8741).