The Farmers’ Union of Wales (FUW) has responded positively to news that there are plans to bring full fibre broadband to an additional three million homes and businesses in some of the UK’s most isolated rural communities, but stresses it must really reach them.
The connection to 3.2 million UK premises, which was given the go-ahead after an Ofcom consultation, is reported to be part of a £12bn investment by Openreach to build full fibre infrastructure to 20 million premises throughout the UK by the end of this decade.
Places set to benefit include Aberystwyth in west Wales, Millom in Cumbria, Thurso in north-east Scotland and Ballycastle in County Antrim. Openreach is due to publish the full list of the 251 locations, referred to as Area 3, where it will build the new network. Ofcom has estimated there are 9.6 million homes and businesses situated in this final third of the UK.
The last few months have served as a stark example of how vital connectivity is. FUW Staff, many of whom live in rural areas, have been working from home and we have continued to assist members with digital paperwork for their farm businesses.
The FUW has stressed on many occasions that poor connectivity often acts as a roadblock for farmers looking at opportunities for diversifying their businesses. It is therefore a step in the right direction that the Wales Local Government Association (WLGA) has included digital infrastructure as one of its key themes for a rural vision for the next ten years, which is being developed as part of the Rural Forum with Stakeholders including the FUW.