Government is looking into introducing universal broadband service, ensuring all Bermudians have access to a basic level of internet, according to Grant Gibbons.

Addressing the House of Assembly, the Minister for Economic Development said he had requested the Regulatory Authority to assist him in formulating and potentially implementing a universal broadband service obligation on local service providers, carry out public consultation on the concept and create a report detailing how it could be funded.

“Faster and more widely available broadband is considered an important opportunity to improve education, communication and public participation in a country’s affairs,” Dr Gibbons said.

“One of the main goals to provide universal broadband service is to narrow the digital divide on the island between those that have access to the internet and those that do not.

“Typically, seniors, people on lower incomes and the unemployed tend to be those who have lower rates of broadband use at home.”