Press & PR

The government is planning to improve children's access to broadband in order to boost their educational resources, it has emerged.

Proposals to require parents to give their kids a fast connection to the internet are to be backed up by efforts to reduce the price so that it is affordable for children of all backgrounds.

Schools minister Jim Knight told the Guardian that children could benefit from having the "hugely powerful" educational tool of broadband in their home.

"We know from the research evidence the difference that information technology can make," he said.

But he pointed out that simply demanding that all youngsters are hooked up with a high-speed line to the web at home must be matched by cheaper prices.

"Obviously you need to make that affordable, you need to make that universal otherwise you just advantage those who can afford it," he said.

A greater number of cheaper broadband connections will give consumers across Britain more opportunities to save on their telecoms costs by signing up to an internet call service such as that offered by industry leader Vonage.

A voice plan costing £5.99 a month includes unlimited web calls to the UK and Ireland, while more countries can be added for just a few pounds more.