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RURAL residents are being misled by connection speeds only available to 10% of customers, say local councils. Speeds advertised by broadband providers fail to reflect the experience of many users – particularly those in remote rural areas, said...
Broadband speed - or indeed the lack of it - remains a big challenge for rural business and communities. Many areas are languishing on connections far slower than those available in larger towns and cities - posing economic as well...
More than 90,000 rural premises in Derbyshire now have access to faster download speeds, thanks to a local authority fibre broadband partnership. The multi-million pound Digital Derbyshire programme is a partnership between Derbyshire County Council and BT. ...
TELECOMS watchdog Ofcom wants rural people to tell it about the broadband challenges they face. Ofcom said it wanted to find out more about the "rural broadband experience" by encouraging rural people to join its research panel. ...
Significant challenges must be overcome to bring superfast broadband to rural areas, a council leader has warned. Roy Perry, leader of Hampshire County Council, said thousands more residents were set to benefit from the rollout of superfast broadband...
RENEWED effort is required to ensure that the final 5% of premises have adequate broadband connections, says the Rural Services Network. The government's proposed "right to request" superfast broadband connections was disappointing, said the network in response to...
TWO Essex villages are among the first to benefit from wireless technology bringing superfast broadband to rural communities. The latest Wireless-to-the-Cabinet (WTTC) equipment is making superfast broadband available in Broxted and Brick End as part of the Superfast...
FASTER broadband connections will not be automatically rolled out to isolated rural areas, the government has confirmed. Instead, rural homes and businesses will have to request connections – a process which could involve a four-year wait. Confirmation...
Government plans for faster broadband threaten to impose an unfair cost on rural residents, says the Rural Services Network. The warning is contained in response to a broadband consultation by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport. ...
RURAL residents with inadequate broadband connections should be compensated, say business leaders. Every home and business owner must be given a legal right to fast, reliable and affordable broadband, said the Country Land and Business Association . ...
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Amid reduced public spending, fair resource allocation across regions is crucial. Despite a population larger than Greater London, rural areas receive significantly less funding for essential services, even though delivering these services in rural areas is more expensive.
Economic growth is widely acknowledged as essential for national wealth and prosperity and is a priority for political parties. Rural economies, employing millions and home to a higher proportion of small businesses, have potential for growth if barriers are removed.
Rural residents face distinct healthcare challenges, including limited access to transport, longer distances to medical facilities, an aging demographic, housing inadequacies, digital connectivity gaps, and difficulties recruiting health and care workers.
Rural communities are grappling with a severe affordable housing crisis, marked by high house prices, a lack of affordable housing, elevated living costs, and lower incomes, threatening their sustainability and vitality.
Transport is vital for the quality of life and economic health of rural areas, yet it faces challenges such as infrequent public bus services and less Government funding compared to urban regions.
Rural areas, encompassing a substantial portion of England's population and land, play a pivotal role in combating climate change and achieving the net zero target.
In an increasingly digital world, the lack of robust digital infrastructure in rural areas severely limits access to crucial services and stifles economic growth.
A future-focused vision for rural communities involves not just building the right homes in the right places but also ensuring thriving, sustainable communities.
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