Broadband

I HAVE written before about the Government's support for better broadband coverage in Devon.

The importance is clear — the internet is an essential service and in rural areas connection speeds are often woefully lacking. Indeed, research I commissioned via the House of Commons Library shows that a third of my constituents have 'low' access rates compared with just 1.8% of people in Hammersmith.

The Government, urged on in the Commons by myself and others has provided £30-million to support the rollout of super-fast broadband (20mbps) across Devon and Somerset and this is backed up with £20-million from the two county councils.

Even so, additional funding (especially from the private sector) will be required if the project's target of providing super-fast broadband coverage for 85% of premises by 2015 is to be met.

Without external investment it is estimated that the private sector would only deliver super-fast broadband to 62% of premises by 2015 leaving 26,000 businesses (with a turnover of £9-billion) and 700,000 people across Devon and Somerset without this vital level of service.

I met recently with John Hart, Leader of Devon County Council, to discuss how I can help my constituents and local businesses gain the maximum advantage from the funds available. The answer is to make our voice heard.

The council is very sensibly conducting a 'Demand Registration' project whereby local communities, businesses and individuals will have the opportunity to let Devon County Council know about the download speeds they are receiving, the kind of services that are currently inaccessible to them and the type of services they would be able to access if speeds were increased.

This will provide the ammunition the council needs to convince private sector companies that the demand is there to justify additional investment. So, please visit http://www.connectingdevonandsomerset.co.uk">www.connectingdevonandsomerset.co.uk and make your voice heard.