Government not up to speed on broadband targets
The NFU believes Government measures to improve rural broadband could help farming communities but, it believes more could still be done to improve internet and mobile communications in the most remote areas. The new discounted satellite broadband scheme is being offered under the Government’s Universal Service Obligation (USO), in which it is committed to providing […]
‘Mobile not-spots’ and broadband availability high on agenda at FUW meeting
The lack of network coverage in rural Wales was high on the agenda at the Royal Welsh Show yesterday (Tuesday 21 July) when the Farmers’ Union of Wales joined forces with Ofcom at its pavilion alongside the main ring. The FUW and Ofcom held wide-ranging talks with farmers and representatives from the communications industry including the […]
Anger at plans to regulate price landowners can charge telecoms giants for access
The CLA is calling on MPs to vote down proposals that would give the Government power to set the price landowners can charge telecommunication companies for access to their land. The proposals, described by CLA President Henry Robinson as “an assault on the free market”, are scheduled to be debated in Parliament this week. He […]
Rural business anger at inadequate mobile coverage deal
Rural businesses have slammed proposals to deliver mobile phone coverage to 90 percent of the country by 2017. The commitment has been agreed by the four major mobile phone providers with Culture Secretary Sajid Javid but will still leave swathes of the British countryside without mobile phone connection. The CLA, which represents landowners, farmers and […]
MPs right to question broadband coverage delivery
The CLA has said MPs were right to subject Broadband Delivery UK (BDUK), the company charged with securing broadband access for communities across the country, to robust questioning on its failure to meet targets. Members of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (EFRA) Select Committee asked questions based on evidence received from the CLA and […]
Progress on rural broadband as slow as a dial-up connection
The CLA which represents landowners, farmers and rural businesses has told the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (EFRA) Select Committee that poor broadband connection is leaving rural areas at an economic and social disadvantage. Giving evidence to the Committee on 3 December as part of an inquiry into broadband coverage in remote rural areas, CLA […]
Countryside shocked by Royal Mail threat to end Universal Service Obligation
The CLA, which represents landowners, farmers and rural businesses, has said the threat from the Chief Executive of Royal Mail to end its obligation to deliver and collect post six days a week would cause serious harm to those who live and work in the countryside. CLA President Henry Robinson said: “The daily post is, […]
Superfast broadband rollout now one of the fastest in the world
The Government’s rollout of superfast broadband has passed more than 1.5 million premises and is now reaching more than 40,000 additional homes and businesses every week. 26% of all UK connections now superfast, up from just 6% two years ago. Every day more and more people are opting to make the most of all a […]
Vodaphone UK lights up rural not spots with 3G coverage
Vodafone UK has announced the beautiful market community of Minchinhampton, Gloucestershire as the first community in a rural mobile not-spot location to receive 3G coverage under its Rural Open Sure Signal programme. Situated on a difficult to reach hill top location within the Cotswold area of outstanding natural beauty, Minchinhampton has until now suffered from […]
