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Downton star backs CLA rural broadband campaign Downton Abbey star Hugh Bonneville is supporting the CLA's Can't Get Online Week, which runs from 30 October to 6 November. The week-long roadshow, sponsored by the CLA, will see IT and social media expert John Popham tour rural communities across England to highlight the difficulties they face in getting online and is the Association's alternative to the national "Get Online Week" campaign. Hugh, who plays the Earl of Grantham in ITV1's popular period drama Downton Abbey, lives 40 miles south of London in a village with a "pretty pathetic" broadband connection and wants infrastructure companies to give the countryside a chance.
He said: "I yearn for a connection that just stays on, never mind one that goes at the speed of light. I'd love to run aspects of my work from home; I'd love to sign up for services that stream content but the connection's just too unreliable. Some days I can't even send an email and there doesn't seem to be much I can do about it.
"The BT Infinity advertisements drive me nuts. When I applied I was told there aren't enough people in my area to merit the local exchange being upgraded but that if sufficient support was drummed up, it might get the opportunity to go in a ballot and possibly be considered for improvement.
"Ironically, the best broadband connection I've experienced was a lot further than 40 miles from London - it was in Liberia."
The CLA is lobbying to ensure that every rural business and household can access a broadband connection of at least five megabits per second (Mbps).
CLA President and Yorkshire landowner William Worsley, whose ancestor Frances Worsley married the real-life Lord Grantham in the 18th Century, said: "One fifth of rural England still does not have adequate capacity broadband, and in today's world that is just not acceptable.
"The Government wants us to fill in tax returns online because it's more cost-effective and schools expect children to do homework online. These are only possible if homes and businesses have a good broadband connection.
"Internet service providers must concentrate on bringing broadband not-spots up to speed rather than making the already fast even faster." |
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Mike has worked in communications roles for the CLA for over ten years and has extensive experience in PR and marketing in the public and private sectors.
He is responsible for regional communications with members and the media and firmly believes that the CLA is about people, and that its strength comes from its members.
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