The government is keen to provide the UK with the best broadband in Europe

Four local authority partnerships have been approved by the Department for Culture, Media and Sports (DCMS) for broadband plan. They are Kent and Medway, Hampshire, Shropshire and Lincolnshire. With this, 15 projects have been approved out of the total 47 across the country. The councils have been asked to submit their plans before 29th of February or else they may lose the funding. It is doubtful whether the councils in Merseyside, North East and Somerset will be able to do so. However, DCMS expect the remaining local authority groups to submit their proposal on time. But even in the case of those who meet the deadline, funding may be withdrawn if the contract agreement with the service provider is not signed by the end of the year. This was informed by the Culture Minister Jeremy Hunt. Communications Minister Ed Vaizey is going to hold a meeting with the three local authority groups to pressurize them to adhere to the date. Funding is to the tune of GBP 730 million. In a related development, ten cities will compete for a share of GBP 100 million allotted by Chancellor’s Autumn Statement. They will join Cardiff, Belfast, Glasgow and London who are likely to be provided with fund for broadband of speed 80 to 100 Mbps. European Regional Development Fund is also setting aside GBP 100 million for the purpose. All these finances will be crucial for the government to provide the best broadband in Europe.