Farewell FM.

[andrew Ivimey]

Workers of the World Unite!

[Dave the bass]

Workers of the World Unite!

What... all of three of them at once?

Who's gonna put the kettle on?

DTB

[andrew Ivimey]

Good point!

I told you, we're an anarco-sydicalist commune. We take it in turns to be a sort of executive officer for the week... but all the decisions of that officer have to be ratified at a special bi-weekly meeting... Supreme executive power derives from a mandate from the masses, not from some farcical aquatic ceremony..... if only people would listen!

Dennis! There's some lovely filth over here.

[The Stratmangler]

Good point!

I told you, we're an anarco-sydicalist commune. We take it in turns to be a sort of executive officer for the week... but all the decisions of that officer have to be ratified at a special bi-weekly meeting... Supreme executive power derives from a mandate from the masses, not from some farcical aquatic ceremony..... if only people would listen!

Dennis! There's some lovely filth over here.

You'll be telling Dave that his mother was a hamster and his father smelt of elderberries next. All done in in a silly mock French accent of course.

Chris

[Chopsaw]

The 50 pence is not for the next step, it's a tax and it's just the tip of the iceberg. The govt have been eyeing up broadband for ages trying to find a way of getting a stealthy tax foot in the door.

[Nick]

Well, maybe. But the document states the 50p is for the next generation.

"The Next Generation Fund
54. In order to generate the substantial funds needed to support such an
undertaking, the Government intends to propose a small general
supplement on all fixed copper lines (that is, residential copper lines, the
equivalent business analogue and ISDN2 lines and cable telephony lines)
from 2010 for a Next Generation Fund. Such a model would be the
communications sector equivalent of the Renewables Obligation, which is
paid for through household and business energy bills to deliver an objective
which the market otherwise would not. It would apply to fixed line rather
than mobile because mobile operators already contribute with licence
coverage requirements for mobile telephony and broadband.
"

So, yes, it IS for the next step. I can't comment on what the government will do, just what he document actually says.

[Andrew]

But they're saying is only going to bring 2 meg to every home

[Mike H]

Er, my 4'pennorth was from a radio news item. Didn't mention "remote areas."

IIRC the gist of it was everyone's gotta be on 'tInternet by such-and-such a year, and in anticipation of which broadband's gotta be up to it.

[Nick]

My reading is there are two steps. The first the "Universal Service Commitment" aims to provide 2mb to everyone by 2012.

"... the Government will pursue Universal Service in broadband, at a speed of
2 Megabits per second, by no later than 2012. This target will allow virtually
everyone to experience the benefits of broadband, including the increasing
delivery of public services online...The Government will consult with the BBC
Trust on how the emerging underspend from the Digital Switchover Help
Scheme can be drawn on to fund Universal Service and take-up. If necessary, the cost would also be met through additional funding mechanisms, as setout in the Digital Britain Interim Reportâ€￾.

Then the second stage is to provide "Next Generation Broadband" which aims to provide 40mb to all parts of the country, and part of the funding for this SECOND step will be provided by a 50p supplement on copper.

Again as to how this works out, I don't know, but the 50p is not for 2mb access.