CLA urges government support for Lords broadband review

Rural campaign group the Country Land and Business Association (CLA) has urged the government to adopt proposals from the House of Lords Communications Committee's review of super-fast broadband policy.

Published on Tuesday (July 31st 2012), the Lords report said the Conservative-Liberal Democrat coalition must move away from its strategy of boosting speeds in areas that already have next-generation broadband access.

Instead, the focus must be placed on eradicating the digital divide between urban and rural communities, the committee argued.

Douglas Chalmers, north policy and public affairs director at the CLA, said government support must be given to the publication to ensure that 100,000 countryside-based businesses currently missing out on quality broadband services are able to help stimulate the UK economy.

"The CLA believes that rather than a universal service commitment, there should instead be a universal service obligation which has the force of law," he added.

CLA deputy president Henry Robinson said the organisation shares concerns with the committee about the Broadband Delivery UK framework.

He declared the process is "flawed", as local authorities only have a choice between two of the original nine providers - BT and Fujitsu.