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Making the case for better broadband (l-r) are FUW Meirionnydd County Executive Officer Huw Jones, Councillor John Pugh Roberts, FUW Meirionnydd County Chairman Euros Pugh, Liz Saville Roberts MP, FUW member Sion Ifans and his wife Gwawr, Ofcom Director for Wales Rhodri Williams and BT Programme Manager for Wales Martin Jones.[/caption]
The internet - defined as the worldwide interconnection of individual networks operated by government, industry, academia, and private parties - originally served to interconnect laboratories engaged in government research.
In a matter of a very few years, the internet consolidated itself as a very powerful platform that has changed the way we do business, and the way we communicate, forever.
The number of internet users worldwide has skyrocketed with just 14 million users worldwide in 1993 to more than 3 billion people today, according to the United Nations agency that oversees international communications.
In the early years many were concerned that the dawn of the internet would widen the gap between developed and developing nations.
The digital divide is a social theory conceived in the late 1990s about the disadvantages for those who do not have good access to the internet compared to those who do, is very much apparent in even the most surprising areas.
To highlight the problem of a lack of broadband in Wales, the Meirionnydd branch of the Farmers’ Union of Wales held a farm visit on Friday, June 10 at Brynuchaf, Llanymawddwy, nr Dinas Mawddwy, Machynlleth, Powys.
Farmers in the county have described the lack of broadband as a major problem especially when it comes to RPW online, VAT online, and BCMS.
FUW member Sion Ifans, who hosted the event and whose property has extremely poor connection, said: “We recognise the many benefits of completing essential paperwork online, but there is still a persistent problem for our rural communities that needs to be addressed urgently.
“The range of services and opportunities which are exclusively available through the internet has grown significantly over the past decade, and access to broadband is now regarded as a necessity by the majority of UK businesses and households.
“However, with access to broadband still well below the national average in many of our rural areas, and farm businesses representing the highest proportion of those with no broadband access, it is essential that the limitations of online services and communications are recognised, and that rural access to broadband is increased.”
In addition, those who are letting self-catering cottages are placed at a significant disadvantage, as WIFI availability is now required to successfully market their businesses.
Huw Jones, the union’s county executive officer for Meirionnydd, said: “Children are unable to access broadband for their school or college work and anyone who wishes to work from home or explore diversification enterprises, are finding themselves in unfavourable circumstances.
“Moreover, given the rate at which the rules relating to agriculture change, and the penalties associated with breaching those rules, it is essential that such changes are either communicated to the industry in an accessible format, either by retaining paper copies or making sure that each and every single household has access to the internet.
“It is vital that the limited extent of broadband access in many of Wales’ rural communities is recognised by our administrations and that they do their utmost to ensure no business is placed at a disadvantage as a result of the move to online services.
“A lot of work has been done over the past four years to improve services for broadband access and a lot of money has been invested by Welsh Government to improve the ‘superfast’ service – however that service is still not reaching all farmers and other rural businesses across Wales”.
Also attending the event was local MP Liz Saville Roberts,who said: “Broadband availability in many parts of Dwyfor Meirionnydd is woeful, particularly in outlying rural communities, where many feel cut off by the lack of network provision.
"The availability of reliable, super-fast broadband is of utmost importance to many small businesses in my constituency, many of whom are frustrated with the slow roll-out of the service.
"Since being elected I have lobbied the Government hard on this issue and called for rural areas such as parts of Meirionnydd to be given priority when it comes to rolling out broadband."
Local Gwynedd Councillor for the Corris/ Mawddwy area John Pughe Roberts, who played a part in the days arrangements said: “It is imperative that everything is done to support those living in rural communities who wish to run their own businesses or even charitable projects from home for the economic prosperity of the countryside.
“I am determined to see this important issue being resolved – it is very unfair for those living in rural areas to be at a disadvantage.”