LGA responds to Which? report on broadband

8 Dec 2016 10:22 AM

Cllr Mark Hawthorne, Chairman of the LGA's People and Places Board responds to research by Which? on broadband.

"Councils have long recognised that good digital connectivity is a vital element of everyday life for residents and can help them cut household bills, shop online for cheaper goods, stay in touch with distant relatives, access their bank accounts and even run their own businesses. As central and local government services increasingly become "digital by default", more people will need to have faster and more reliable speeds.

"We want to ensure everyone has good quality internet access. And while the recent announcement of new investment for digital infrastructure is good news, government must not lose sight of the needs of rural communities already struggling to receive a basic broadband service.

"Local government is committed to exploring with the communications industry, regulators and government how best to ensure residents across the country can benefit from public investment in new technology wherever they live.

"On behalf of our residents we have also called for the Government's Universal Service Obligation to include a social tariff to ensure a basic service of at least 10Mbps is available at an affordable price, so that as many people as possible have access to this essential service."

Up to Speed

Ensure everyone has access to super fast broadband: http://lgauptospeed.org/