CLA backs regulatory body to 'improve rural broadband'

The organisation that represents owners of land, property and business in rural England and Wales, the Country Land and Business Association (CLA), has welcomed Ofcom's review of the state of broadband in the countryside.

Ofcom, in its recent report, the Strategic Review of Digital Communication, called for significant improvements to be made in the efforts to bring high-quality broadband to the countryside of England and Wales.

The review, aimed at investigating the competition and state of the broadband market made a series of recommendations including the opening up of BT's network connections and improvements in its customer service.

The review stopped short of splitting the network infrastructure management arm of BT, Openreach, off, but called for greater independence between the two companies.

The CLA welcomed the review and, in particular, stated that the decision not to split BT and Openreach was the right decision as it would have set back plans for improvements made to broadband that are “drastically needed” in the countryside.

John Mortimer, south-west director to the CLA, commented on the review: “The CLA has made the case that lack of access to broadband puts rural businesses, families and individuals at a serious disadvantage.

"Ofcom has backed that view, saying that much more could, and should be done to deliver universal broadband to avoid economic and social deprivation in rural areas.”

Mr Mortimer acknowledged that while there are failings with Openreach, the body supports Ofcom's decision not to split it from BT at this current time. Instead, the CLA backs the regulator's proposals, including the opening up of BT's network, to improve competition, as well as agreeing with the new universal right of broadband being at a minimum speed of 10Mbps.

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(Image: Kings Sutton)