Thanks to Mary Turck for passing on an article on rural broadband plans for the UK. The UK government is looking at making a commitment to rural areas. They are striving for 2Mbps to all UK homes by 2012. Even the article points out that while that’s great, there is a fear that folks might think that’s enough and it isn’t. But right now 42 percent of the rural population cannot access the Internet at afaster speed – so it is a movement forward.

There are two things I really like about this proposed plan. First, they are developing community networks, implying (I think) that each community can figure out a solution that works for them, promoting local control at least at the decision-making stage. Second, they are looking at a monthly surcharge from homes with landlines of 50p ($.80) to pay for the rural networks. I think this makes sense. And in a country where folks are used to paying for a TV license I don’t think there will be too much of an uproar. I do find it unusual that they are taxing only landlines – especially since in my experience everyone over the age of 8 has a cell phone.