European Commission 'green lights' extension of UK National Broadband Scheme

The European Commission has given the UK National Broadband Scheme the green light, giving the go ahead for the UK to look at the designs for extending next-generation broadband access by 2020.

The European Commission (EC) has endorsed the UK government's plan to extend its next-generation access (NGA) broadband technology over the next four years to 2020, arguing that the plans are compliant with EU rules on broadband roll-out.

The UK government informed the EU of its intentions to create a National Broadband Scheme, which will be part of Broadband Delivery UK (BDUK). The scheme would increase the number of people that receive superfast internet speeds of more than 30Mbps.

The EC's state aid assessment guidelines were laid down three years ago and were aimed at promoting fairness and equality through the buying and deployment stage. When BDUK was first set up, it had to promise similar obligations. However, the EC said it was happy with the UK government's promises that the public money will be spent in areas where at present there is no NGA infrastructure currently in existence and where a private operator was not willing to invest. It was also satisfied that Westminster would award state aid in respect of the EU procurement rules and enable bids from smaller operators.

European commissioner in charge of competition Margrethe Vestager said: “Today’s decision endorses UK plans to support the roll-out of high-speed broadband infrastructure – it aims to bring faster internet to UK consumers and businesses in line with EU state aid rules.”

Ed Vaizey, digital economy minister, welcomed the commission's decision: ”The commission’s decision will help us to reach more properties more quickly, bringing a welcome boost in broadband speeds to communities across the UK.”

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