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BT Wales and West Director for Next Generation Access Ed Hunt, BT Director Cymru Wales Alwen Williams and FUW Managing Director Alan Davies[/caption]
The Farmers’ Union of Wales has met with BT officials at the Royal Welsh Show to discuss developments in the sector and how to proactively encourage innovation.
With a focus on how to strengthen the agricultural industry in Wales through technology, Union officials highlighted the need for innovative ways of thinking in terms of fixed line connectivity and extended ways of delivery.
During the meeting, the FUW highlighted that large numbers of FUW members, farmers and rural communities are currently being placed at a major commercial and legal disadvantage due to a lack of access, a problem that could be solved by exploring alternatives to fixed line and fibre connectivity as a network delivery means.
Farmers’ Union of Wales Managing Director Alan Davies said: “What we need is to find the fastest way now to connect those in remote areas. If that means moving away from fixed-line solutions so be it. BT now own the mobile operator EE and have the capability to grow the network more rapidly than previously planned.
Both BT and FUW committed to working together to explore how digital solutions can help make farming more effective and efficient.
“Digital technology has transformed so many lives in other areas that we must look to exploit it in agriculture. That is why we are also establishing an Innovation Committee with the FUW,” said Alan Davies.
“It may not be exciting to some generations, but we also have to recognise that technology is second nature to many younger farmers in particular,” he added