UK benefits from Europe's broadband largesse

Commission pledged €1.8bn to promoting fast broadband in 2010

The European Commission committed over €1.8bn (£1.5bn) of public funding to promote the rollout of high-speed broadband in 2010, four times what it spent the year before.

Since 2003, the UK has been a major beneficiary with awards for 19 out of a total of 75 EC-funded projects.The outlay was part of the Commission's Digital Agenda, a vaulting programme to promote inclusive growth and well-being via all things online throughout the EU's member states.

A large proportion of the cash was promised to ensure high-speed broadband is deployed in impoverished, rural and remote areas, as well as the wealthy urban areas naturally favoured by access providers.

For example, Cornwall received £53.5m of EC largesse in October last year as part of a £132m package co-funded by BT. The investment announcement was made with grand promises to bring highly skilled jobs and growth to the region, in keeping with the Digital Agenda.

The €1.8bn spent this year far outstrips the second-largest amount promised by the Commission for the rollout of broadband - €579m in 2006.