Rural broadband: 98% of homes unable to get top speeds

rural broadband, farmer with tablet, ipad, tractor

The survey comes at a time of increased concern about the lack of effective broadband provision.

All our members need a fast, reliable and affordable service to do business, and they need to know that the service speeds they pay for can be delivered - NFU

Ofcom, the Communications Industry regulator, is introducing a new Code of Conduct for broadband providers and new measures to make it easier for mobile phone customers and broadband customers to change provider.

Ofcom has also recognised the particular challenges for rural broadband provision and confirmed that 50% of all SMEs cannot access superfast broadband at all.

The Which? survey echoes our members' evidence that they struggle to get low-speed broadband provision. Many struggle to achieve 2 megabits/sec, while others cannot get access at all. This situation can occur across England and Wales and impacts those with farms close to towns and cities as well as those in open countryside.

The NFU welcomes the fact that Ofcom is making it easier for our members to change mobile phone and broadband providers if they do have alternatives.

The NFU believes that there is overwhelming evidence for accelerating the provision of reliable and affordable superfast broadband to all rural areas.

All our members need a fast, reliable and affordable service to do business, and they need to know that the service speeds they pay for can be delivered.

:: One of our Manifesto Asks calls for an accelerated rollout of high-speed broadband to all rural areas to provide universal coverage equivalent to urban areas.

*The Which Survey of Broadband Speeds is part of their campaign on broadband here.