Welcome to the latest newsletter from the Rural Vulnerability Service - brought to you by the Rural Services Network and the Rural England CIC in association with Calor.

The vulnerability service aims to disseminate information about three key rural issues: fuel poverty, broadband and rural transport.

Latest updates:

Council to sell assets of broadband company

Internet company Gigaclear is set to buy the assets of Aylesbury Vale District Council's troubled broadband business, Aylesbury Vale Broadband.
(Mix 96.2FM)

Mid Suffolk targeted in broadband campaign

Residents in Mid Suffolk are being asked to complete a survey rating their broadband connection and stating what they would do with it, if it was faster. (Bury Free Press)

Lincolnshire boosted by broadband programme

Rural parts of South Kesteven will be targeted in the third phase of the Lincolnshire Broadband Programme.
(Grantham Journal)

Internet speed joy for the village of Hutton-le-Hole

Villagers on the North York Moors are celebrating after the long-awaited arrival of superfast broadband.
(Darlington & Stockton Times)

Community group to improve broadband access

A community group has worked with Network Rail to provide a better broadband service to villagers.
(Newark Advertiser)

Council launches inquiry into FTTH Rollout

Aylesbury Vale District Council has agreed to conduct an independent inquiry into the controversial Aylesbury Vale Broadband.
(ISP Review)

First village receives fibre from community scheme

A rural community broadband scheme has installed its first fibre cabinet in South Norfolk.
(Diss Mercury)

Superfast Cymru broadband project nears end

Over 700,000 properties have been connected to superfast broadband since a Welsh government project was set up in 2013.
(BBC Online)

Hotel's shock at £80,000 superfast broadband quote

A rural Angus hotel has been told it would cost £80,000 to install a superfast broadband internet connection.
(BBC Online)

Bid to boost broadband in rural Doncaster

Plans have been drawn up to help 6,749 Doncaster residents who cannot access superfast broadband.
(The Star)

Rural firms held back by lack of digital skills

New research suggests rural businesses are struggling to find the right skills to make the most of digital technology.
(The Telegraph)

‘Pathetic’ progress on rural broadband and 4G

Farmers are among more than 1m UK homes and business languishing on slow broadband connections.
(Farmers Weekly)

Million miss out on 'decent' broadband

The UK's digital divide has narrowed but more than one million homes and offices still struggle to get good broadband, says an Ofcom report.
(BBC Online)

UK homes to get faster broadband by 2020

Homes and businesses will have a legal right to demand faster broadband speed by 2020, the government has said. (BBC Online)

BT loses broadband battle for rural homes

BT has been dealt a blow by the government after its offer to connect 1.1 million rural homes to superfast broadband was rejected.
(Evening Standard)