CLA makes renewed call for better rural broadband

13:15 19th March 2009

The Country Land and Business Association (CLA) has renewed its call for better broadband services throughout rural Britain.

Ed Richards, head of broadband industry regulator Ofcom, this week acknowledged the problem posed by the continuing gaps in quality between rural and urban broadband services.

He said that 15 per cent of existing web users lack connection speeds of even 2Mbps, which poses a serious challenge to government plans to improve nationwide networks over the coming years.

Douglas Chalmers, director of CLA North, said: "Since the CLA asked people to come forward with their concerns about broadband access we have received more than 1,000 responses - including 150 from this region - almost all from those living in rural areas who are desperate for faster internet connections."

Delivering high-speed broadband to rural areas will enable countryside residents to engage in home learning and pursue computer training courses far more effectively.

Internet service providers could be facing a combined bill of £30 billion to install a next-generation network throughout the UK.