Fujitsu to offer high speed rural broadband service

It has been reported recently that technology giant Fujitsu is set to create a superfast broadband network that will offer services to rural parts of the UK.

For many years now there have been concerns over the huge divide between rural and urban areas when it comes to broadband access. Whilst improvements have been made with broadband technology and access over recent years the divide between rural areas and towns or cities is still evidence, leaving many businesses and residents in hard to reach areas out in the cold.

However, it has been announced recently that technology giant Fujitsu is set to create a superfast broadband network that will offer services to rural parts of the UK and will rival the service offered by communications giant BT. The network will be open to all local authorities and both Talk Talk and Virgin Media have said that they will use it.

The government has set aside five hundred and thirty million pounds to stimulate rural broadband schemes, and Fujitsu wants five hundred million of this towards its huge project. Without the funding the company will not be able to build the network according to a spokesperson from Fujitsu.

“Assuming we are successful we would hope to add our first retail customer in 2012 and reach 5 million in three to five years.” He also said that he hoped local authorities would come together to help fund the project, stating: “We don’t want to end up with 40 fragmented networks so it makes sense for regions to come together. That is not mandated but it is what we expect to happen.”

Do you think this new network is worth the major investment needed? Let us know with your comments.

Source – BBC