Digital inequality Homes falls short of speed standard
NEWLY released data reveals neighbourhoods across the Bristol region have some of the worst broadband connectivity.
Ofcom figures show that more than 6,000 homes and businesses across Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire do not have access to decent and affordable broadband connections.
North Somerset has 3,284 homes – almost one in nine – with a poor connection, almost double the number in Bristol, which has 1,780 homes affected where in some neighbourhoods, nearly one in every nine properties suffer from poor connectivity.
However, in Gloucestershire only 1,085 homes and businesses are affected by poor broadband speeds.
Overall, most people across Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire have super-fast broadband available to them.
Selina Chadha, Ofcom’s connectivity director, said: “With many people needing to work and learn from home now, having a decent internet connection has never been more important.
“And while more people are being connected to faster broadband every day, there is more to do to bring all parts of the country up to speed – particularly rural areas.
“Anyone who cannot get a decent connection can now request one through the universal broadband service, so we encourage anyone in this situation to check if they are eligible for an upgrade.”
The government deems as standard a connection that can deliver 10 megabits per second (Mbit/s) download speed and 1 Mbit/s upload speed, and costs less than £45 per month.
Last year, the government announced the Universal Service Obligation (USO) for broadband as part of its commitment to ensuring the UK has world-class digital connectivity and inclusion.
The USO is intended as a “safetynet” to deliver broadband to those premises that do not have access to a decent and affordable connection.
If a premises’ broadband falls below these standards, and is not due to be connected to a publicly funded rollout scheme within a year, the USO provides a legal right to request a decent broadband connection from the government, up to a cost threshold of £3,400.
However, customers can choose to pay the excess if the cost of installing decent broadband would be more than that amount.
Daniel Clifford, broadband expert for broadbandchoices.co.uk said more needs to be done to better manage “digital inequality”.
He said: “Now, more than ever, a decent and affordable broadband connection is vital – for people’s livelihoods, as well as for their mental health.”