A survey on digital connectivity has highlighted a gaping hole between urban and rural areas when it comes to access and stability of broadband and mobile phone reception.
The survey, run by the National Federation of Women's Institutes-Wales, CLA, Farmers’ Union of Wales, NFU Cymru and Wales YFC, showed that over 50% of respondents from a rural area felt that the internet they had access to was not fast and reliable.
Indeed, less than 50% of those who lived in rural areas stated they had standard broadband and only 36% had superfast broadband, with 66% stating that they or their household had been impacted by poor broadband. In comparison, 18% of their urban counterparts said they had access to standard broadband and 67% had superfast broadband.
Whilst 80% of participants used their mobile phone to access the internet, just 68% of those with a smartphone had access to a 4G or 5G mobile network. Describing the mobile signal in their house, 57% of those from a rural area stated that their signal was ‘unreliable’ and 49% of those from a rural area stated that their signal was ‘unreliable’ outdoors.
Respondents to the survey were clear that the challenges of working from home and for children accessing education was especially difficult and frustrating during the Covid-19 pandemic due to poor connectivity.
The findings of the survey are therefore a real cause for concern and it has become clear that despite many UK and Welsh Government promises made over the years, the digital divide between rural and urban areas has not been addressed.
Poor digital connectivity evidently impacts directly on Wales’ rural communities. It is essential that the next Welsh Government further invests in rural infrastructure to enable rural families, farm businesses and others to capitalise on digital connectivity opportunities and not be left behind, increasing the digital divide between urban and rural areas. Broadband and mobile phone signal are an essential public service in Wales and must be recognised as such.
The organisations have jointly written to the First Minister and relevant Cabinet Ministers outlining the survey findings, and have also requested a meeting to discuss the Welsh Government’s vision and roadmap to providing everyone with access to fast and reliable connectivity.
The full press release from the organisations can be found here: https://www.fuw.org.uk/en/news/14539-survey-highlights-digital-urban-rural-divide