10 February 2012 09:13

COMMUNICATION

Rural areas ignored in superfast broadband rollout

Homes and businesses in Lincolnshire’s countryside are still being ignored by telecommunications companies.

According to the Country Land and Business Association, the news that Virgin Media is ahead of schedule in its rollout of superfast broadband to thirteen million UK homes only relates to urban areas that are already well connected.

Dr Charles Trotman, CLA Head of Rural Development, says, “Rural areas are still losing out in the broadband provider battle. Virgin Media’s latest roll out ignores rural homes and businesses to give areas that already have good broadband even faster connections.”

He says Virgin Media’s plan to double download speeds to 120 Megabits per second is unfair to homes and companies currently struggling to get the average 2Mbps. In at least one fifth of rural areas there is no broadband at all. He adds, “Non urban areas with inadequate broadband should be brought up to speed first before doubling the speeds for areas that do not need improving. We are seeking urgent talks with Virgin Media to establish how best they can help rural communities.”

The CLA has called on the Government to ensure that every rural business and household can have access to a broadband connection of at least 5Mbps.

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