High-speed help for rural Fifers

Frustrated Fife computer users could be spared slow internet speeds because of a decision by the UK Government.

From 2020 householders will have a legal right to demand high-speed broadband, a long-term issue for many homeowners in rural parts of the region.

The UK Government has rejected a voluntary offer from BT to speed up improvements to 1.1 million homes, opting instead for a regulatory Universal Service Obligation (USO), which it believes will offer residents certainty.

Under the plan, broadband providers will face a legal requirement to provide highspeed broadband to anyone requesting it, subject to a cost threshold.

Regulator Ofcom said that 4% of UK premises, or about 1.1 million, could not access broadband speeds of at least 10Mbps.

Mid-Scotland and Fife MSP Murdo Fraser has welcomed the move and believes this will be a positive step.

He said: “Rural parts of Fife are still struggling with below par broadband speeds and this USO will set in stone what is acceptable.

“A USO has worked relatively well for postal services and it is only right to see this extended to broadband.

“For years, residents have put up with snail-pace broadband and this legal requirement will hopefully pressure companies to narrow the current ruralurban broadband divide.”