Church spires to house digital infrastructure to improve connectivity

An agreement between the Church of England and various government departments means that rural homes in England could be getting better broadband connections with the help of community churches.

Many churches are located in the centre of rural communities and are, as a result, perfectly placed to help address connectivity problems in rural areas. Following the agreement between the Church and the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, church spires will now become home to mobile antenna and other ‘digital infrastructure.’

Matt Hancock, the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, commented: “Churches are central features and valued assets for local communities up and down the country. This agreement with the Church of England will mean that even a 15th century building can help make Britain fit for the future improving people’s lives by boosting connectivity in some of our hardest-to-reach areas.”

The government says that arrangements such as this will help those living in rural communities to access vital tools such as online public services and skills and training opportunities. Businesses, meanwhile, should see their connectivity increased helping them to compete at a national level and improve their online presence.

Rural Affairs Minister, Lord Gardiner, commented: "It is vitally important people living in the countryside have the same opportunities as those in urban areas, and that means having strong mobile and broadband infrastructures in place."