EU finding injection to boost rural broadband in the UK

The European Union (EU) has announced a major new funding injection to potentially boost the provision of broadband in rural areas of the UK.

An overarching fund of €5 billion (£4.462 billion) has been agreed to help revitalise the EU economy and also work towards a sustainable and prosperous future for the union.

As part of this, €1.02 billion has been allocated to go towards developing better broadband internet connections, particularly in rural and remote areas.

UK European minister Caroline Flint said this initiative is proof of how the EU can "complement the work of national governments", as well as "help people through the downturn" and also "put the European economy back on a path to growth".

She added: "The fact that this injection of cash is targeted on renewable energy and broadband will ensure that we make the European recovery a green and high-tech recovery."

In related news, a monthly broadband speed test for April compiled by Broadband.co.uk has revealed that the average speed being experienced by consumers in the UK has now passed 4 Mbps.