The government has committed to a range of pilot projects in all corners of the country that will help to bring broadband to hard to reach areas.
EE, O2, Vodafone and Three UK have all agreed to a new government plan—reportedly valued at £5 billion—to provide voice, SMS and data services to 90 per cent of the UK by 2017.
And plenty of folks are unhappy with the monopoly BT has been given when it comes to delivering broadband out to the sticks.
BT has been heavily criticised for “vastly overestimating” its rural broadband costs by more than £90 million.
Millions still without any Internet connection and slower speeds than promised, say critics.
BT has been boasting about the success of its project to lay subsea fibre links running out to the Scottish Islands, which will bring superfast broadband speeds to residents in these remote areas.
BT plans to pay back £127 million of the £1.7 billion government contract to local councils, as part of a “claw-back” clause in the contract.
Digital Teesdale, a project that brought fast broadband to the rural area, has been shut down causing anger and disappointment among those using the service.
Ofcom has announced it will soon make more frequencies available to mobile broadband, resulting in increased speeds and a cheaper service.
The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) has claimed many rural firms are in a “digital slow lane” compared to counterparts in the city.
Telecoms giant Vodafone is set to strengthen mobile phone services across Wales by bringing 3G and 4G mobile coverage to more than 94% of the population.
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