Rural areas 'lagging behind' urban areas in broadband speeds
Rural businesses and homes that are unable to get the minimum broadband service of 10Mbps that comes as part of the Universal Service Obligation (USO) should be given some form of compensation, according to the Country Land and Business Association (CLA).
The CLA, which represents over 33,000 farmers, landowners and rural businesses in England and Wales, made the call after a government announcement said that it planned to roll out fast broadband speeds of 10Mbps by 2020.
This decision was made by Prime Minister David Cameron back in November, arguing that everyone should have the right for internet speeds of at least 10Mbps by 2020 and was followed by a consultation with the Department for Culture, Media, and Sport, which closed on the 18 April.
At present, only half of rural homes and businesses can receive speeds of up to 10Mbps compared with 96 per cent of urban areas. This is something which, according to CLA president Ross Murray, is one of the biggest challenges facing rural communities.
Murray said: “People living and working in the countryside have been putting up with poor or non-existent broadband service for too long because connecting them can be harder and not as profitable for infrastructure providers.
“This has made their lives more difficult and has put their businesses at a disadvantage — poor broadband is one of the greatest barriers to growth in the rural economy.
“The government’s commitment to putting in place a USO of 10Mbps from 2020 was a real win for rural people, but it will only be meaningful if fast, reliable and affordable broadband is made a legal right.
“If people are denied this legal right, they should have access to proportionate compensation.”
Ofcom recently published a report entitled 'UK Home Broadband Performance' where it found that average speeds in rural areas were three times slower than those in urban areas.
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