During a debate on Broadband and Mobile Coverage, Fay Jones MP lobbied the Minister for Media, Data and Digital Infrastructure about the lack of available broadband in Brecon and Radnorshire and rural areas.
The Brecon and Radnorshire MP asked Digital Minister Julia Lopez what her department is doing to improve broadband and mobile phone coverage, following contact from constituents in Knighton who have expressed concerns over the universal service obligation.
Ms Jones said: “Decent and affordable broadband coverage is inconsistent in many rural areas ….. the contribution costs, which can be in the tens of thousands of pounds, despite some properties being only a few hundred metres away from the cabinet.”
Ms Jones asked for a meeting with the Minister to discuss the issue further.
Ms Lopez said that the Government are working hard to give people great connectivity whether they live in a rural, suburban or urban area.
She added, the Government are rolling out infrastructure connecting the hardest-to-reach areas through Project Gigabit and working with commercial partners on the shared rural network to tackle mobile notspots.
Ofcom holds responsibility for setting the universal service conditions, and it recently carried out an investigation into BT’s approach to calculating excess cost. BT has since provided assurances on what it will do to mitigate the consumer harm identified in the Ofcom report. Compliance with the report will be monitored.
Ms Jones is currently working with a number of constituents who have been quoted excessive figures for connection to broadband, and asks for anyone who has been quoted an extortionate figure to get in touch with her office.
Ms Lopez has agreed to meet with Ms Jones.
