There is a "growing clamour" across Gloucestershire for an end to the digital divide in broadband speeds between urban and rural areas, according to the chief executive of the county's local enterprise partnership.

In a column for the Citizen, David Owen of GFirst stressed high-speed broadband access means far more to the county than the ability for children to download music and films faster and play online videogames.

It will allow more people to work from home or start new businesses, while young families and elderly residents could enjoy the cost savings and convenience offered by online shopping, he said.

Gloucestershire and neighbouring Herefordshire were among the first counties to receive a share of the government's £530 million broadband funding pot, with this money set to be used to persuade a telecoms firm to roll out super-fast broadband.

A "complex" tendering process is currently being undertaken to find a partner for the project and Mr Owen revealed a contract is expected to be awarded in late spring 2012.

Work should begin shortly afterwards in the Forest of Dean and south Herefordshire, before being extended to other rural communities.

In total, the Conservative-led coalition has awarded £8.07 million to improve connectivity in Gloucestershire, while Herefordshire has been allocated £6.35 million. It is believed this money will help bring faster broadband to more than 230,000 properties across the two counties.

Some remote parts of Gloucestershire are currently stuck with speeds as low as 0.2Mbps, compared to the national average of 6.8Mbps.

"Throughout the county there is a growing clamour for an end to the gross inequalities of internet service provision between urban and rural areas," Mr Owen stated.

"Many rural communities have already lost their post offices, shops, schools, petrol stations and pubs.

"Getting left behind in the race to get on the information superhighway is seen by many as the last straw."

Add a comment

Comment

Your name

Your e-mail address

Comments (0)