Rural trade group criticises delay of broadband plans

The Country Land and Business Association (CLA) says it is disappointed and shocked by the Government’s decision to delay the rollout of the broadband universal service commitment (USC).

This USC was meant to provide a mininimum 2 Mbits/sec service across the UK by 2012. Charles Trotman, CLA's head of rural business development, said the delay of three years would only broaden the digital divide.

He said that there would be no point working towards a 2 Mbits/sec service when by that time there will be networks capable of delivering far faster speeds around urban and city areas.

“The Government hasn’t taken into account all the factors they need to. If rural areas have to wait three years for just a minimum of 2Mbits/sec, much of the rest of the country will be able to access super-fast broadband services, expanding the digital divide,” he said.

In a speech to the broadband industry yesterday, Culture Secretary Jeremy Hunt said the Government cannot meet the Universal Service Commitment first announced by the Labour Government, because of insufficient funding.

Labour had planned to use the surplus from the digital switchover which had been put at around £250m.

Many broadband experts said this would not be enough and Mr Trotman said he now expected that with expected cuts, this money would no longer exist or be used elsewhere.

However a spokeswoman for the Department of Culture, Media and Sport said the money from the underspend would still be put towards the USC and also next generation access.

"We are still see 2012 as a goal but we just don't know if this is going to be possible. The money from the digital switchover will still be put towards the USC and three market testing projects to bring next generation broadband for rural areas," she said.

The CLA, which has published a manifesto on what it believes could be the full potential of the rural economy, warned any delay to the USC would however, seriously compromise the ability of the rural economy to succeed in the future.

William Worsley, CLA President said: “This setback comes at a time when rural Britain is desperately in need of effective and affordable broadband.

“Of course we are living in straitened times. However, without universal broadband it will become far harder for rural business to compete effectively with businesses in urban areas, many of which already have access to far faster speeds than 2Mbits/sec.”

Mr Trotman said the CLA would continue to lobby officials and ministers to try to reach a satisfactory conclusion for all as soon as possible.