'Consumers should not have to pay a broadband tax'

Web users should not be forced to pay a broadband tax to help fund the development of next-generation networks, according to Broadband.co.uk.

The government is considering charging each web user 50 pence a month on top of their existing monthly fees to help provide faster networks across the UK and allow people to use VoIP solutions more effectively and get access to faster download speeds.

The website said that connecting more remote communities still poses a problem and the money raised from a broadband tax would be too low to make a difference.

Edd Dawson, managing director of Broadband.co.uk, said: "It really has to be a direct investment. It doesn't necessarily have to be taken directly from consumers. It is an infrastructure investment for the whole of the country."

All the UK's major internet service providers are under pressure to invest in next-generation broadband technology, which could cost nearly £30 billion to connect the entire country.

Virgin Media recently launched a new service offering download speeds of up to 50 megabits per second.