Rural broadband users get a third slower service

Published 31 Jul 2009 13:48 Comments 1 Comment

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THE average broadband speed delivered in urban areas was 4.6 megabits per second (Mbps) compared to an average of 3.3Mbps delivered to rural consumers, according to the communications regulator, Ofcom.

The report also showed that most users connect to the web at 3.9Mbps, less than half the promised rate of 8Mbps.

The highest speed a customer on an 8Mbps package could get in practice is about 7.2Mbps, the regulator added - and then only if they live extremely close to their telephone exchange.

However, in rural areas, many people are obviously much further away than that.

As reported in the Peeblesshire News, residents of Stobo were recently left without broadband for up to two weeks. Hundreds of local homeowners and businesses were affected until, after repeated calls from ourselves and local politicians, connection was restored.

Many affected users told us how the service only delivers 1Mbps at best when running, which allows internet browsing but makes downloading music a very lengthy process, while downloading videos is rarely worthwhile because of the poor quality of the images.

Dumfriesshire, Clydesdale and Tweeddale MP David Mundell - who has previously highlighted deficiencies in rural broadband provision - said: "I have had repeated complaints from across my constituency from people who are unhappy with the speed of broadband service available; if it is available at all.

"This Ofcom report shows that rural users are only getting an average speed of 3.3 megabits per second, compared to 4.6 for urban customers.

"This inequality not only affects householders but those trying to run businesses in rural areas. It is disappointing that more is not being done to prioritise those who cannot access broadband and those who receive broadband at such a slow speed - fast-speed broadband is essential in this day and age.''

Local MSP Jeremy Purvis is at present attempting to agree a Borders-wide strategy with a host of key stakeholders such as BT, SBC, Scottish Enterprise and Borders College.

He said: "This Ofcom report only serves to highlight and stregthen my pre-existing concerns regarding broadband provision in the Borders.

"I am currently receiving responses from local businesses to a survey I conducted with the Federation of Small Business on broadband in the region.

"Earlier in June I met with various key stakeholders to discuss this problem and will look to reconvene this meeting with the survey results after the summer recess.

"This issue not only affects homeowners and businesses but tourism, recreation, teaching and learning also. The Borders is most definitely in need of a better and more reliable service."

This article appeared in Peeblesshire News 31 Jul 09

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Paul Dovey
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Aug 18, 13:35
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I have just come off the phone from a guy called Richard Dix, who is planning to launch an internet provider service for the rural countryside. He is using satellite, adsl and long range wireless links. I believe he is a member of the CLA himself as he was previously a farmer himself and has lived and worked in the counreyside all his life.

His website for the project is http://www.realruralbroadband.com and his company site is http://www.positivecomputing.co.uk.

I think the idea he has is a fine one and wish him all the luck he needs in setting this up.

Perhaps then we in the countryside of rural britain can get the connections we deserve.

Paul Dovey

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