ÖPIK ACTS TO END NARROW ACCESS TO BROADBAND IN MONTGOMERYSHIRE (Montgomeryshire Liberal Democrats)

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Montgomeryshire Liberal Democrats <montlibdems@gmail.com>

ÖPIK ACTS TO END NARROW ACCESS TO BROADBAND IN MONTGOMERYSHIRE

September 30, 2008 11:20 AM

Lembit Öpik, Liberal Democrat MP for Montgomeryshire, will meet with residents in White Grit village next week to discuss the need to increase provision of broadband in rural areas.

Recent news that the European Commission is considering expanding the Telecommunications Universal Service Obligation (USO) to include access to broadband, has been welcomed by the Welsh Liberal Democrats anxious to combat the increasing isolation felt by rural inhabitants as local amenities, like post offices are forced to close.

Once a telecoms service is being used by more than half of the population it must form part of the service to which everyone is guaranteed. Currently, about 36% of EU households have a broadband connection, but uptake is growing so quickly that the review is being brought forward to meet the Commission's stated aim of all EU citizens having broadband access by 2010.

Ahead of the meeting, Lembit commented:

"I have recently been dealing with a case in my constituency where broadband has not been delivered on grounds that the line from the nearest serving exchange is too long to carry a strong signal.

"I will be meeting with residents in the area on Monday 6th October to clarify the situation and see the full extent of the problems they are experiencing. While BT prides itself on having put 99% of all customers within reach of a broadband exchange, this cannot be an excuse for ignoring a minority of customers on grounds of living in a rural area.

"The high take up of broadband across Europe is evidence that it is fast becoming a necessity for many people. Even rural broadband take-up has overtaken that of urban areas.

"While I am pleased that this issue has been prioritised by Ieuan Jones AM in the Assembly and that BT is acknowledging the problem, I feel more needs to be done to properly address this apparent discrimination. I hope that BT will heed the European Commission's policy of broadband for all by 2010 and take immediate action to render this service available for all, including those in rural areas.