Ofcom’s Connection Nations 2015 report released this week which shows that 48% of premises in rural areas are unable to receive speeds above 10Megabits and that small and medium sized businesses are the most disadvantaged by lack of connectivity.
CLA President Ross Murray said: “Today’s report by Ofcom highlights the challenges many homes and rural businesses face across the country of poor or nonexistent connection to the internet and confirms that the digital divide between rural and urban areas is getting worse, not better. Government and industry have spent a lot of time telling us how well they are doing but today’s finding show just how far we have to go.
“The rural economy is bursting to grow but its hands are tied by poor connectivity.
“The Prime Minister’s announcement that the Government will deliver a Universal Service Obligation of 10 megabits by 2020 is a major step forward, but new approaches and significant improvements in delivery are needed if we are to ensure rural areas are not left behind and rural economy is to succeed.”
The Countryside Alliance welcomes Ofcom’s Connected Nations 2015 report, but they say it is clear that rural areas are still lagging behind.
Coverage for superfast broadband has increased significantly in the past 12 months - from 22% in 2014 to 37% this year, reaching over 1.1 million premises.
However, around 2.4 million homes and small businesses in the UK are still unable to receive broadband speeds above 10Mbit/s, with 48% of these premises in rural areas.
This is coupled with poor levels of mobile coverage in rural areas, which continue to be lower than in urban areas. Only 31% of rural premises receive an indoor voice service compared to 91% in urban areas.
Sarah Lee, head of policy for the Countryside Alliance, said: “Industry, government and the regulator need to work together to close this digital divide if we want our rural communities and businesses to be able to engage in a digital world.
“While the Government’s BDUK project is helping to address the problem of poor broadband coverage, particularly in rural areas, we still need further intervention to ensure that everyone has access to broadband which is why we support the government proposal for a Universal Service Obligation.”
The report can be read here.
