The CLA launched a new policy paper today that sets out its vision for the future of rural broadband.
The Broadband Fit for Rural Growth report marks 10 years in which the CLA has lobbied for faster internet speeds in the countryside, and sets out targets to make the government follow through with its recent pledge for greater rural broadband in environment secretary Owen Paterson's rural statement.
"Between 15 and 20 per cent of those who live in rural areas are still unable to receive anywhere near the government’s benchmark of two Megabits per second (Mbps)," said CLA President Harry Cotterell.
“Broadband acts as an economic driver for rural businesses as well as helping the social development of rural communities."
Cotterell believes that the CLA must now form a 'strategic alliance' with other rural interest groups in order to help achieve a comprehensive rural broadband model.
In its report, the CLA also advocates a system where wi-fi and satellite are widely available but stresses that the government must first create the right conditions before any successful fixed-line broadband infrastructure is possible.
“It is unlikely that the government’s objective for Britain to have the best superfast broadband network in Europe by 2015 will be realised so we are calling on the government to step up and agree to a legally binding Universal Service Obligation rather than just loosely committing to rural broadband," concluded Cotterell.
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