An ambitious plan to improve broadband services in the UK is on the verge of being officially announced. The minister for Digital Britain Stephen Timms has announced that most probably, a levy of 50p as broadband tax will be charged along with telephone bills, and speculation is that this will happen before the next general elections. This extra money thus generated will be used to improve coverage in the country and the quality of service.

In the first stage, internet users in Scotland are set to benefit from this surcharge. Finance Secretary John Swinney thinks that Scotland has managed to provide broadband services to almost everyone in the country, but wide coverage has not ensured speed and quality service. People in the remote and rural areas are not at all satisfied with the broadband service. The speed is rather slow, and there are still places where people do not have internet connections. He expresses hope that the latest discussion with British Telecom will bring about a positive change, as a detailed plan is taking shape.

Roxburgh and Berwickshire MSP John Lamont has a similar view, as is evident from his comment to the BBC. While talking about the ground reality, he says that rural areas in Scotland like the Borders face problems in accessing the internet, and if the recent initiative of the government is to be believed, then this problem will be overcome in the near future.

According to this new plan, British Telecom will identify fifty small exchanges located in the remote areas of Scotland, and these will be upgraded with focus on providing faster speed (click for a broadband check) and all-time availability. A formal announcement with the detailed plan is expected to come any time.

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