Not-spots an issue for small businesses too
21 July 2009
I was interested to see in the media yesterday that the Country Land and Business Association (CLA) has been expressing concern that patchy availability of sufficient bandwith broadband is damaging the ability of rural businesses to compete with their urban counterparts. A spokesman suggested that it was not too dramatic to state that ‘the life of rural Britain will be snuffed out if by 2020 fibre optic technology is only available to our cities and towns'.
While fibre optic may not be the only answer, the importance of making broadband available throughout the UK has been consistently stressed by the Panel. Our recent research report Not online, not included showed that consumers believe it will soon be essential for everyone to have broadband at home, wherever they live. For businesses, broadband of sufficient speed is simply indispensible.
Last week, we published our response to Ofcom's consultation on access and inclusion. We welcome Ofcom's intention to bring together all the issues that have a bearing on access and inclusion under a single overarching project.
On Broadband availability, we had already welcomed the Government's universal broadband commitment. But, as ever, the key test is delivery and whether people everywhere in the UK really will be able to have access to - and the skills to use - online services at a speed that allows them to do what they want, when they want.
‘Not spots', of course, is not just a broadband issue. Despite claims of virtually universal mobile coverage, there are still plenty of people - including me - who have difficulty getting a signal at home, never mind when they are on the move. On the Panel, we think there is an unacceptable gap between official data and the reality experienced by consumers. We've asked Ofcom to give this issue greater priority and are carrying out our own research to better understand consumers' experience in this area.
We will keep you posted.