Rural Digital Connectivity
In an increasingly digital world, the lack of robust digital infrastructure in rural areas severely limits access to crucial services and stifles economic growth.
11 Jan 2021
Ultra-fast broadband for rural areas has been abandoned, MPs warn
Newspapers, including The Times, the Financial Times and The Guardian, have reported that rural areas could be locked out of having cutting-edge gigabit broadband for years because of a litany...
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04 Jan 2021
New report into barriers to take up of gigabit-capable broadband
The Gigabit Take Up Advisory Group has issued an Interim Report which, following a call for evidence, identifies factors that may inhibit consumers and businesses from adopting gigabit-capable broadband This...
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04 Jan 2021
Seven councils awarded digital connectivity funding
LocalGov.co.uk has reported that seven councils are set to receive funding from the Local Government Association (LGA) as part of a programme to help boost digital connectivity The LGA’s Digital...
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21 Dec 2020
Openreach to hire 5,000 engineers to speed up broadband rollout
The Financial Times and Guardian have reported that BT Openreach is creating 5,300 new roles next year as it speeds up broadband upgrades, driven by the rush to upgrade broadband...
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14 Dec 2020
Spending Review 2020 – Gigabit capable broadband funding
In our analysis of the Spending Review 2020 through a Rural Lens (referred to in last week’s Bulletin and available here) we reported on the Spending Review decision regarding the...
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07 Dec 2020
Better rural internet speeds ‘may not be financially viable’
News outlets including Farming UK and the Wiltshire Times report on widespread calls for better internet coverage across rural areas Danny Kruger MP (Con) spoke in a digital infrastructure, connectivity...
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30 Nov 2020
Call for rural communities to take advantage of extra funding to boost digital connectivity
Local newspaper Cumbria Crack has reported that rural communities are being urged to take advantage of voucher funding from the Digital Borderlands scheme, to help them secure faster and more...
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23 Nov 2020
Fibre broadband: The cost of delivering in rural areas
News outlets including the BBC and telecommunications company Ericsson’s blog, have reported that despite the fact that improving digital connectivity in rural areas would be ‘a lifeline for isolated communities’,...
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09 Nov 2020
Better digital connections can help level up rural North Yorkshire
Cllr Don Mackenzie writes in the Yorkshire Post this week about the need for improved connectivity for rural constituents He explains the urgent need for high quality broadband as part...
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19 Oct 2020
Rural Services APPG Meets Chief Secretary to the Treasury on Spending Review
On 13th October the Rural Services All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) met Steve Barclay MP The Chief Secretary to the Treasury to raise a number of rural issues ahead of...
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