Bates calls for innovative action to bridge digital divide (Montgomeryshire Liberal Democrats)

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Montgomeryshire Liberal Democrats <montlibdems@gmail.com>

Bates calls for innovative action to bridge digital divide

June 2, 2009 12:00 AM

Montgomeryshire AM Mick Bates has called on the Welsh Government in the Chamber to take more innovative action to ensure the roll-out of broadband to all areas in Wales, to bridge the digital divide so that people in rural Mid Wales are no longer missing out.

Commenting to the First Minister in the Chamber Mick stated:

"The Welsh Government continues to reassure us that broadband access will be available to all, however in reality this is far from true. Rural areas continue to be left behind with little or no access to broadband, which can leave individuals feeling isolated and unable to access services and can jeopardise the ability of businesses to compete in local, national and global markets.

"In Montgomeryshire there are many examples of individuals and even towns such as Dolfor, where the telephone line comes from some 7 miles away or more. Many people are charged for broadband which will not work because they are so far from the exchange, in fact the lines are so poor they are hardly even good enough line for voice calls.

"It is time for the Welsh Government to take action with investment in innovative solutions such as satellite technology or using a sub exchange in rural villages to boost the signal."

In response the First Minister stated that the Labour-Plaid Government had not promised to roll out broadband to all areas but to 98-99% of areas as there would always be 'not-spots' that would be difficult to reach.

Mick adds: "The Labour-Plaid commitment to ensure only most parts of Wales have access is simply not good enough, as many of the areas that will be left out are rural parts of Mid Wales. I will continue to campaign to ensure that we bridge the digital divide so that broadband can reach all areas of Wales, our rural communities can prosper and people in rural Mid Wales are no longer missing out."

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