U.K. lawmakers push for rural broadband

Lawmakers in the United Kingdom have called on the government to do more to address the lack of broadband in rural areas. There is growing concern that many parts of the United Kingdom will suffer significant and long-term economic damage because businesses and homes cannot get access to reasonably priced high-speed Internet access. More than 30 percent of the U.K. population cannot get affordable broadband, according to recent figures. Telecommunications service provider British Telecommunications has broadband-enabled some 1,010 of its 5,000 local exchanges, extending coverage to around 60 percent of the U.K. population, and is planning to upgrade another 100 by the end of May. The company has said it is not economically viable for it to install its technology in more rural areas yet, as it believes there is not sufficient demand to justify the cost. BT is working with some rural development agencies to see if they would subsidize further broadband development. Graeme Wearden reported from London. To read the full story, visit ZDNet U.K.