Broadband News

Campaign group praises government recognition of rural broadband problems

Friday 6 January, 2012

By Duncan Heaney

Government minister admits rural broadband is insufficient.

The Country Land & Business Association (CLA), a rural campaign group, has welcomed comments by government minister Caroline Spelman, who acknowledged that the government has not done enough to support broadband and other essential services in parts of the country.

In a recent article in the Daily Telegraph, Caroline Spelman, secretary of state for the environment, food and rural affairs acknowledged the issues, stating that many rural businesses and communities have been neglected when it comes to internet access, and have suffered as a result.

Harry Cotterell, CEO of the CLA, said: “The CLA has been saying this for many years, so it is heartening a government minister finally acknowledges the depth of inequality between urban and rural areas.”

Spelman also unveiled plans to establish 14 networks in different parts of the country, which would act as a hotline directly to the government, keeping them informed on progress in the areas, and reiterated that the government has allocated £20 million to extend broadband into rural Britain.

Cotterell stated that the plans were “a good start”, but “still more needs to be done to ensure fairness for rural communities and businesses - with a commitment to providing fast broadband for all.”

The inequality between urban and rural broadband capabilities has long been a major problem for people living in the country, and it could be some time before these areas catch up with the rest of the country. In December last year, BT admitted that getting superfast broadband to 90% of UK premises could take up to six years.

Photo by Per Ola Wiberg ~ Powi