BBC broadband survey backs up CLA’s call

Rural economy expert the CLA has been backed up by a BBC-commissioned survey into rural broadband 'notspots'.

The survey said that around three million homes in the UK have insufficient broadband speeds of less than two megabits per second (2Mbps).

CLA President Henry Aubrey-Fletcher said: "This BBC survey confirms what the CLA has been saying for some time. Millions of people in rural areas of the UK have poor broadband speeds which is damaging the rural economy. This cannot be ignored, especially at this difficult economic time.

"We have had people up and down the country respond to a call we put out to come forward if you receive slow broadband or no broadband at all. This is a serious issue when fast broadband can be the make or break for a rural business."

The CLA recently teamed up with Eurosat to provide our members with a stopgap answer to their problems. Members of the CLA can receive satellite broadband at reduced rates to ensure faster broadband.

The CLA has also called for more 'piggy-backing' schemes to be developed - an example being Great Asby in Cumbria where local residents can 'piggy-back' on the high speed, unused bandwidth of the local school.

But the CLA President added: "Eurosat and piggy-backing schemes are helping many households but Government cannot look at them as solutions. We are calling on Government for a Universal Service Obligation to be established. The UK cannot afford to be left behind in the economic race for fast broadband."

CLA MEDIA CONTACTS:

For further information and interviews:

Phillippa Coates, Press Officer, 020 7460 7934, phillippa.coates@cla.org.uk

Oliver Wilson, Director of Communications, 020 7460 7936 or 07702 928828, ollie.wilson@cla.org.uk,

Out of hours: 020 7201 9511.

Mike Locke, Eurosat Special Projects Director: 020 8452 6699

NOTES TO EDITORS:

1.      Eurosat, the global satellite equipment distributor, and the CLA are offering members throughout rural England and Wales a beyondsl two-way satellite broadband at a discount. The service uses the innovative ASTRA2Connect platform and works where DSL or cable services may be limited or non-existent, as well as in the rural broadband black spots where high-speed terrestrial internet access is not available.

CLA members will receive a discount on the cost of equipment and annual or monthly subscriptions. CLA Rural Broadband offers a consumer service at 512kbs and business service packages at 1Mbs and 2Mbs and members should expect to obtain savings of at least £50 pa.  It is an always-on service that does not require a separate phoneline and offers unlimited internet access, and high levels of built-in performance enhancement and security.

For more information about Eurosat, visit: www.eurosat.co.uk

Dr Charles Trotman – Head of Rural Business Development

An economist, advises on rural economic issues, particularly food policy, rural tourism, equine issues and telecommunications policy.

Phone: 020 7460 7939
FAX: 020 7235 4696
Email charles.trotman@cla.org.uk