Broadband Minister rejects Fibre tax review proposal

UK Broadband Minister Ed Vaizey has made it clear that the government has no intention to review the Fibre Tax, which in the present form has been criticised by many potenial, small investors for favouring big internet providers like BT and Virgin Media.

The Conservatives have earlier promised in their electoral manifesto that they would review the Valuation Office Agency’s (VOA) Fibre Tax which was seen as ‘a detriment to smaller operators building fibre networks.’

After holding discussions with the Agency, he was convinced that the system (VOA) has been transparent and that fibre tax does not need a review, the Communications minister spoke at a function in Birch Green village (a notspot area) in Hertfordshire where the local fibre optic broadband provider, Vtesse has recently launched its super-fast service.

“My job is to work with the VOA to bring my issues to the table.” Ed Vaizey said.

Meanwhile, the residents in the Birch Green could receive speeds less than 2Mbps as the nearest BT exchange was too far. Vtesse Networks which has earlier connected the neighbouring village Hertingfordbury has now extended its fibre networks to offer 40 Mbps speeds to the homes and businesses in the village.