Universal Service Obligation to deliver high speed broadband across UK
The Government has confirmed today that universal high speed broadband will be delivered by a regulatory Universal Service Obligation (USO).
An offer from BT to deliver a universal service on its own terms was rejected by the Government.
BT Openreach, the largest provider of fixed line broadband infrastructure, consistently opposed the USO to give every household or business premises the right to an internet connection of a legally set speed of at least 10 megabits per second (Mbps).
The CLA which represents landowners, farmers and rural businesses welcomed the regulation.
CLA Senior Rural Business Adviser Dr Charles Trotman said: “The challenges of rolling out fast, reliable and affordable rural broadband are well known but have been recognised by the Government with the commitment to provide a universal service obligation of at least 10 Mbps from 2020.”
Back of the queue
Rural areas have been at the back of the queue when it comes to investment in infrastructure, and that is why today's announcement has been welcomed by rural businesses.
Mr Trotman added: “Rural areas now stand a better chance of receiving a decent broadband service without BT monopolising the market and deciding its own terms for connection.
“It is vital for the Government to move as swiftly as possible towards meeting its objective of universal coverage in 2020 and to ensure legal guarantees are set for any future universal obligation.
“Ten Mbps is only a benchmark minimum speed which is sufficient now but as technology advances could be too slow in just five years’ time.”
Unreliable signal
This week, the National Farmers Union held talks over the issue of poor mobile coverage and broadband connectivity many people in rural areas receive.
According to an NFU survey from 2016, 85% of farmers have an unreliable outdoor mobile phone signal, 82% of farmers have an unreliable indoor mobile phone signal and only 6% of farmers have access to superfast download speeds.
And Ofcom’s Connected Nations 2017 Report released on 15 December states that 1.1m premises still don’t have access to decent broadband.