One of the main issues raised with me across Mid-Cornwall
is the poor level of broadband service provided to people living in rural
areas.
In 2016 people rightly expect access to high-speed
internet connections. Having a fast and stable broadband connection is
increasingly a crucial part of our lives, both for leisure purposes but also
vital for all manner of businesses. Whether at home or work, fast broadband
should be a reality in all our communities. Sadly, this is not yet the case. In
Mid-Cornwall people are dealing with some really poor connections and gaps in
services. St Austell and Newquay falls into the bottom 30% of Parliamentary
constituencies for the availability of superfast connections, and Cornwall
itself gets a speed below the 10mb per second Ofcom say everyone should
have.
I regularly meet with constituents who share
their experiences of poor broadband service, and have also met with
representatives from the Cornwall Development Company, the body responsible for
the implementation of broadband infrastructure in Cornwall, and Openreach, the division of BT that maintains the UK’s largest phone
and broadband network on behalf of competing providers to press for a better
service locally.
In Westminster, earlier this year, I
co-signed a report calling on telecoms regulator Ofcom to take radical action
over the ‘natural monopoly’ too long enjoyed by BT Openreach.
I was pleased then, to see last week’s announcement
that Openreach will
become a "distinct company" within BT, with more control over
its own finances and an independent board, as part of a package of reforms.
Under Ofcom's proposals, Openreach will be forced to make its infrastructure of
ducts and poles available to rival companies from next week, and face
tough new performance rules that take effect later this year.
I believe Britain should be leading the world
in digital innovation. Yet instead we suffer from having a BT run monopoly
clinging to outdated copper technology with no proper long-term plan for the
future. We need to start converting to a fully fibre network so we are not left
behind by other nations who are rushing to embrace digital advancement.
However, we will only achieve this by taking
action to open up the sector. While last week’s announcement is a good start, given
all the delays and missed deadlines, I believe that only a formal separation of
BT from Openreach, combined with fresh competition and a concerted ambition to
deliver, will now create the broadband service that our constituents and
businesses so rightly demand. I am pleased then, that Ofsted have put on record
that if BT "cannot achieve" the reforms outlined in their plan, that
they should become a separate company under different ownership.
As always, my team and I are here to serve the
whole constituency and work hard to make a real difference to the lives of
everyone needing support. If there is an issue you would like my assistance on
then please contact me on either 01726 829379 or office@stevedouble.org.uk.
Additionally, I hold regular, appointment only, advice surgeries across the
constituency. Dates of these can be found at: www.stevedouble.org.uk/events
