Budget boosts UK broadband

VoIP traffic received a potential boost from the Budget yesterday with Alistair Darling's re-iterated commitment to a broadband tax.

The tax is designed to speed the deployment of broadband throughout the country and is expected to have a profound effect on VoIP uptake.

Mr Darling hopes that widespread broadband will boost UK business, commerce and innovation. Once the UK has widespread broadband, organisations will be encouraged into expanding their VoIP networks, leading to an increase in VoIP traffic across the country.

"The UK has the potential to be a digital world leader. It needs high-speed broadband for rural areas as well as urban, it must not be limited to the well-off," said Mr Darling.

VoIP requires large broadband networks to be accessible to all, so Mr Darling's announcement is positive news for VoIP's future in the UK.