Broadband funding to reduce digital divide

It has been announced by ministers that millions of pounds ploughed into broadband funding will help to reduce the digital divide between areas in Britain.

It has been announced recently by ministers that the government plans to bridge the digital divide between areas of Britain to some extent by ploughing millions of dollars into broadband funding. For years now there has been heated debate over the fact that people in rural and hard to reach areas have little to no broadband access where as those in cities and urban areas have access to high speed broadband that can revolutionize their personal and business lives.

Millions of pounds have been pledged through the Rural Community Broadband Fund according to ministers, and this will help to tackle the huge digital divide between different parts of Britain. The fund will be worth up to around twenty million pounds a year according to Caroline Spelman, the Environment Secretary, and additional funding of up to six million pounds will be available to hill farmers for environmental stewardship schemes.

Spelman stated: “The range of measures announced today will help hill farmers become more competitive and take advantage of new opportunities to grow their businesses. They will also help rural communities to thrive.” Officials have said that the new fund will help both residents and businesses in rural areas to enjoy the same benefits as those in areas where there is high speed broadband available.

Culture secretary Jeremy Hunt said: “Remote and rural areas have the most to gain from access to broadband but these are the communities currently missing out. The whole of the UK should be able to share in the benefits of broadband and we are determined to make this happen by the end of the Parliament.”

Do you think the fund will help to close the digital divide on a long term basis? Let us know with your comments

Source – Public Service