For well over a decade, there has been talk of a ‘digital divide’, with people in cities enjoying access to high internet speeds and reliable connections, while those living in the countryside get neither.
A recent survey on digital connectivity ran by the National Federation of Women’s Institutes-Wales, CLA, Farmers’ Union of Wales, NFU Cymru and Wales YFC, found more than 50 per cent of respondents from rural areas felt that their internet access was not fast or reliable.
Less than 50 per cent of those who lived in rural areas stated they had standard broadband and only 36 per cent had superfast broadband, compared to 18 per cent and 67 per cent respectively from their urban counterparts.
Selaine Saxby MP, Chair of the APPG for Broadband and Digital Communication, joined Farmers Guardian chief reporter, Abi Kay, and Tim Bonner, CEO of the Countryside Alliance, to discuss the impact the digital divide is having on the rural economy, and what more can be done to improve the situation.
You can listen to the podcast here: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/digital-divide-with-50-of-the-rural-community/id1508553337?i=1000532270534
