Access outside commercial full-fibre broadband deployment areas
Emma Foody, Member of Parliament for Cramlington and Killingworth, has highlighted the need for greater action to support residents impacted by inadequate broadband coverage.
Access to good quality and reliable broadband is essential to ensure people can study or work, but too many find themselves with poor and unreliable connections, outside commercial broadband roll out and especially in our more rural communities.
Speaking during Science, Innovation and Technology Questions in the Commons, the I highlighted that “Access to reliable broadband is essential to residents across Cramlington and Killingworth. However, for those who fall just outside commercial full fibre broadband deployment areas, it remains a real issue impacting on their ability to work and study”. I went on to ask “what further action can the government take to ensure that residents falling just outside current roll out areas aren’t left behind?”
In response, the Secretary of State replied “We are making sure that the market for digital provision is a functioning market that will deliver for providers, and where providers are in areas where the market isn’t as full as we like, those marker providers need to be working together to make sure every resident across her constituency get the connectivity that they deserve”.
Following the question, I commented:
“Access to good quality and reliable broadband is essential to ensure people can study or work, but too many find themselves with poor and unreliable connections, outside commercial broadband roll out.
“I welcome the Secretary of State confirming that action is being taken to ensure adequate provision and will continue to work to ensure that this issue is addressed for communities across Cramlington and Killingworth”.
You can view the transcript of the exchange here.