Rural parts of UK being left behind with broadband

A recent report has pointed out how many rural parts of the UK are being left straggling behind when it comes to broadband, and concerns are being expressed that the issue is not being addressed.

When it comes to broadband services rural areas have been suffering for years due to insufficient access and inadequate speeds. A recent report has now highlighted how rural Britain is being left behind in the broadband stakes, and many fear this will leave the UK lagging behind the rest of Europe when it comes to broadband service.

Figures suggest that there could be as many as ten thousand rural businesses in Yorkshire that do not have a decent service. One fifth of people living in that area want to see the issue of broadband addressed as a priority, and around ten percent of those living in rural parts of this area have no internet access at all.

Some are concerned that parts of rural Britain are now growing apart from towns and cities, and one official said that lack of broadband in these areas was causing both social and economic difficulties. Universal access is now not due to come into play until 2015, with the previous 2012 deadline having been pushed back by the coalition government when it came into power.

A number of other European countries are said to have already made headway with regards to establishing broadband access for all, and if Britain continues the way that it is it risks being left behind many other parts of Europe according to officials. The Commission for Rural Communities (CRC), said: “There is a risk that the Government’s universal service commitment may not be sufficient to meet European standards”.

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Source – Yorkshire Post