I welcome the news that 83.9 per cent of premises in Thirsk and Malton now benefit from superfast broadband.
This has been delivered as part of the Government’s manifesto commitment to extend superfast broadband to 95 per cent of UK premises by the end of 2017. Data released last week confirms this ambitious target has been met; more than 19 out of every 20 UK homes and businesses now have the opportunity to upgrade their internet connections to superfast speeds of 24 Mbps or faster.
Over the last five years, the Government’s rollout of superfast broadband has made superfast speeds a reality for more than 4.5 million homes and businesses who would otherwise have missed out. As well as delivering everyday benefits to families, such as easy access to information and convenient ways of staying in touch, better broadband also equips businesses with the digital infrastructure they need to expand and compete in today’s digital age.
I do, however, have concerns about access to fibre broadband in the hardest to reach areas. This particularly affects constituencies such as mine, which are large and rural.
Some statistics are alarming and the situation requires urgent action; average broadband speeds in the constituency are 38 per cent lower than the national average. When ranked among the 54 constituencies in Yorkshire and the Humber we rank 48th. Ofcom regards 10 Mbps as necessary for decent broadband and so it is disheartening yet unsurprising to read that almost a third of lines are receiving speeds under 10Mbps.
I am particularly concerned about wards such as the Dales and Cropton who sit in the worst 10 per cent of wards in the UK on every measure, including average speeds and the availability of superfast broadband.
I know that slow and unreliable broadband places businesses at an enormous competitive disadvantage. I spent years as a business owner lobbying for better broadband. Since becoming an MP, I have campaigned for a mixed solution of fibre, wireless and satellite. This would be the best way ensure that every premises across the constituency can get access to superfast broadband. I met North Yorkshire County Council to express my concerns; I want to see money set aside to commission other technologies, such as point-to-point wireless, which could reach these areas in the most cost effective manner.
I remain hopeful for the future; the Universal Service Obligation offers certainty as broadband providers will face a legal requirement to provide a minimum standard. The third phase of the superfast broadband rollout by Superfast North Yorkshire is starting this year and Openreach has said that it would connect fibre broadband into three million premises by the end of 2020.
The UK desperately needs to develop its digital economy especially in rural areas whose businesses are having to diversify. I will continue to campaign for better provision, faster rollout and I am eager to explore alternatives.
There is more to do, but each week thousands more premises are being reached and recent data underlines the important progress we have already made. By investing in the things that improve people’s day to day lives we will build a Britain that is fit for the future.