Tories’ superfast internet across UK

AT LEAST 10million homes across the country could be given access to superfast broadband by 2022 after the Tories unveiled a new pledge in the run-up to the General Election on Thursday.

The Conservatives have promised that within five years, 10million homes in 100 towns and cities across Britain will be able to access superfast fibre broadband – up from just 500,000 households today.

Superfast broadband is internet speeds of 24Mbps which allows homes to download an average length feature film far more quickly than conventional broadband.

These towns are expected to set a clear path to national coverage over the next decade, which should give most people superfast levels of connectivity.

The Tories will also promise to have the majority of the population covered by a 5G signal – the next generation of mobile phone technology – by 2027.

Theresa May, the Prime Minister, said the plans were contingent on Britain getting a good deal to leave the European Union.

Mrs May said: “As we leave the European Union, we are determined to make the UK the world’s most dynamic digital economy with first-class connectivity as we build a brighter future.

“Our plans to roll out high-speed broadband and extend mobile coverage will mean people can stay connected wherever they live, work, travel and learn – and help end the scourge of ‘not spots’. But delivering all this depends on getting Brexit right, which is why I need every vote on Thursday to strengthen my hand in the Brexit negotiations which begin just 11 days after polling day.”

The last government passed a law that will ensure a basic broadband service or Universal Service Obligation in every home – including rural areas – by 2020. For mobile phones, the Tories said they would extend geographic coverage to 95 per cent of the UK to try to eradicate “not spots”.

The Daily Telegraph has launched a campaign for communities to get better broadband after repeated complaints that people living in rural areas have had to put up with slow speeds.

Research from Which? has found that nine in 10 people think a broadband connection is essential to their everyday life alongside other essentials such as food, housing and utilities like water and energy.

It emerged in March that people living in Abererch, Gwynedd, have resorted to getting up at 4am just to get an internet connection. The small rural village in Wales was named as having Britain’s worst broadband, slower than Mount Everest base camp.