Read our consultation responses (NFU members only)
The NFU asked for government departments to work together to accelerate rural provision and challenged current government targets for providing superfast broadband (measured at 24 Mbps) by 2017 for 95% of the population and 2Mbps for the rest (i.e. largely rural areas).
We also raised concerns about mobile phone coverage, as although there should be 98% coverage by the end of 2015; this still leaves parts of the country not covered. The NFU have responded to a separate consultation on how to tackle partial not-spots, where mobile phone coverage does not exist, or is only available for certain networks, emphasising the problems this creates for the farming industry.
We are due to give evidence to a EFRA Sub Committee on Rural broadband and digital services on 10 December 2014.