I’m sure some constituents will expect me to write about the Prime Minister’s chief adviser. However, as I write, the situation is unfolding and rather than write something which could be quickly out of date, I’d like to focus on one of my election promises – something which could make a genuine difference to people’s lives.
With so many of us working from home at the moment, access to better broadband and phone signal has never been more important. For businesses to grow and jobs to be created in Brecon and Radnorshire we must have good communication. Consequently, one of my earliest priorities as MP has been to work closely with BT and OpenReach to ensure there is a levelling up on digital connectivity in Brecon and Radnorshire.
Data released from the House of Commons Library has confirmed what many already knew, Wales has the worst average broadband speeds in the UK. We are at the bottom of the pile when it comes to broadband connectivity and mobile phone signal.
I reminded the Prime Minister in PMQ’s prior to the budget, back in March that the £1 billion pound deal to boost 4G right across the country must include Mid Wales.
The Government’s policy is to support the roll-out of superfast broadband to those areas not already reached by private investment. To do so, the UK Government has been providing funding to the Welsh Government through the superfast broadband programme. Currently 76.4% of premises in the Constituency have access to superfast broadband.
From March 2020 all constituents who cannot get an upload speed of 10 Mbit/s and an upload speed of 1 Mbit/s, have the legal right to request a decent, affordable broadband connection from BT under their new ‘Universal Service Obligation’ (USO) for Broadband. This is a safety net for those who currently struggle to get online because they cannot access a fast connection.
In the first steps BT will be writing to those constituents recognised as eligible for upgraded broadband. But please get in touch with me to work out if you would benefit – my office would be happy to assist.
Mobile signal is also critical for our area. Wales is going to be a large beneficiary of the Home Office’s Emergency Service Network providing 4G Masts. The UK Government have further sites planned in Wales under the Extended Service Programme for areas where there is currently no 4G available.
The Government is also working on the Shared Rural Network which ensures that the many “NotSpots” in the constituency are going to become a thing of the past. Particularly for residents in the Teme Valley – one of the largest rural notspots in the constituency.
