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Staffordshire needs better broadband, says rural watchdog A rural watchdog says that 'Speed Greed' - with Virgin and BT vying to sell super-fast broadband in the cities while virtually ignoring countryside coverage - is failing areas in Staffordshire.
The CLA (Country Land and Business Association) wants broadband for the entire county – not just the conurbations, and it says Virgin and BT's competition should be about providing fast broadband coverage across the region, rather than just speed in built-up areas. During talks with landowners and rural business leaders at Sugnall Hall near Eccleshall, CLA Deputy President Harry Cotterell said: "Super-fast broadband speeds will only benefit a small section of the population – those who already enjoy fast connections. "Speed Greed is creating the desire for ever faster connections, which will only be delivered in the towns. As a result rural communities and businesses are being left behind." Woodseaves based CLA West Midlands leader Caroline Bedell backed his concerns. She added: "Government has a responsibility to consider the needs of all the citizens of the country. But, currently, while one child is watching high definition videos and conferencing with 'friends' all over the world, the child who sits next to him in class cannot even do the standard assignments set her as part of the national curriculum without travelling to another location in her spare time to use someone else's internet connection." The CLA has been campaigning for affordable and effective broadband services for rural areas since 2002. BT is now well aware of the importance of this technology as well as the frustration of those who cannot access an effective broadband service. "Rural businesses are losing out because of poor internet connections," added Caroline. "The bottom line is that businesses based in the countryside cannot compete with their urban counterparts, thus holding back the rural economy."
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Harry Cotterell, President of the CLA, owns and manages a traditional rural estate in Herefordshire. The main enterprises on the estate are cider fruit, mushrooms, chickens and arable. There is also a commercial forestry operation and a small shoot.
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