eXwavia says urban broadband cash is bad news for rural Britain
Welsh rural internet service provider eXwavia has said the government's £150 million investment in urban broadband is bad news for residents and businesses in remote communities.
Annette Burgess, the company's managing director, claimed the announcement of £100 million to boost ultra-fast broadband access in ten of the UK's biggest municipalities, plus £50 million to improve connectivity in ten smaller cities, will only widen the digital divide between urban and rural areas.
Businesses and communities in the countryside now face an "uncertain and unfair future" as no extra funding was unveiled for these locations, eXwavia stated.
In particular, it said the move spells bad news for jobs and commercial investment in rural areas.
Ms Burgess commented: "The message that rural communities are hearing from the government is that they are not important.
"We are creating a green wasteland rather than a vibrant, viable rural economy."
Last month, eXwavia welcomed the extension of the Welsh Broadband Support Scheme, a £2 million fund aimed at tackling notspots across the country that was originally due to end this month.
The initiative offers financial support to businesses and residents unable to receive speeds of at least 2Mbps.
