UK providers are unhappy with a rise in business rates that will increase the tax paid on fibre optic networks. Providers believe they will be disproportionately affected by the increase and that this could impact the fibre rollout. One theory for the rate increase, which was set by the Valuation Office Agency (VOA), is that the VOA did not believe Virgin was paying enough in business rates. Brigitte Trafford, chief corporate affairs officer at Virgin Media, said that the VOA should reconsider its modelling to avoid penalising those providers building infrastructure for the Broadband's digital future. The Internet Services Providers' Association (ISPA) also criticised the charges, which it claims will make it more difficult for ISPA members to invest in the roll-out of networks and connectivity.
Broadband providers are unhappy with a rise in business rates that will increase the tax paid on fibre optic networks. Providers believe they will be disproportionately affected by the increase and that this could impact the fibre rollout. One theory for the rate increase, which was set by the Valuation Office Agency (VOA), is that the VOA did not believe Virgin was paying enough in business rates. Brigitte Trafford, chief corporate affairs officer at Virgin Media, said that the VOA should reconsider its modelling to avoid penalising those providers building infrastructure for the UK's digital future. The Internet Services Providers' Association (ISPA) also criticised the charges, which it claims will make it more difficult for ISPA members to invest in the roll-out of networks and connectivity.