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Rural businesses still suffering despite ‘unrealistic’ OFCOM broadband report, says CLAAn OFCOM report's claim that the broadband divide between rural and urban areas has disappeared beggars belief, says the CLA. The report suggests that the take-up of broadband in rural areas is now higher than in the UK's cities. However, the rural economy experts believe the report fails to take into account that broadband connections often do not deliver the high speeds advertised, and also that many rural businesses cannot get broadband at all because they are too far from their local telephone exchange.
CLA Deputy President William Worsley said: "Suggestions that the broadband divide has closed are simply not true. The digital divide is about availability and the fact remains that in a significant number of rural areas, ADSL broadband access is simply not available. The existing internet access speeds are often appallingly slow, hitting the viability of businesses.
"Small rural businesses are really suffering because of this broadband divide. We are receiving an increasing number of calls from rural businesses asking for help because they cannot compete on an equal footing with often close neighbours who benefit from a cheap and reliable ADSL service."
The CLA Deputy President added: "People who would like to develop redundant buildings into small modern business units cannot do so without broadband access, even if all the other elements are in place.
"We are worried that anyone reading coverage of the OFCOM report will get a distorted view of the true picture. Everything is not rosy with broadband in the countryside, despite OFCOM's wanton optimism."
CLA MEDIA CONTACTS:
Oliver Wilson, Director of Communications, 020 7460 7936 or 07702 928828, ollie.wilson@cla.org.uk,
Phillippa Coates, Press Officer, 020 7460 7934, phillippa.coates@cla.org.uk
Out of hours duty phone: 020 7201 9511.
NOTES TO EDITORS:
3. We have a team of experts in London and a strong regional structure able to give local support. We have been looking after the interests of our members, as well as promoting the positive aspects of land, land ownership and land management, for more than 100 years. CLA members own approximately half the rural land in England and Wales, and the resulting expertise puts it in a unique position to formulate policies and lobby effectively.
3. For more information about the CLA, visit: www.cla.org.uk
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An economist, advises on rural economic issues, particularly food policy, rural tourism, equine issues and telecommunications policy. 
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