MPs representing rural and less densely populated areas are very worried, though, that their constituents are going to end up on the wrong side of the broadband divide. There is a growing belief, among members of all political parties, that some form of state intervention could be necessary. John Thurso, MP for Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross, fears that remote areas such as the Scottish Highlands will never get affordable broadband without government assistance. BT has launched a satellite broadband service that is intended for small business in places such as Scotland, but it costs £59.99 (ex. VAT) per month on top of an installation fee of at least £899 (ex. VAT). Thurso asked Alexander whether he agreed that the private market alone will never bring broadband to areas such as his constituency. Alexander said he welcomed BT's satellite service, and added later that he believes the high prices might fall soon. "In the months and years to come, we will see the price reductions that we are already seeing in ADSL services," claimed Alexander. The DTI recently committed £30m to promote broadband in rural areas. This money will be spend on a variety of projects, including creating a broadband town and funding research into wireless networks for villages. However, as the select committee for culture, media and sport warned this week, "...none of this fund, for all it might achieve, has yet been spent".
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