Exclusion from fibre optic broadband plans 'will harm rural businesses' - Fibre Leads

Exclusion from fibre optic broadband plans 'will harm rural businesses' - Fibre Leads Plans to exclude rural firms from the roll-out of fibre optic broadband will cause more harm to already suffering businesses, it has been claimed.

According to Top 10 Broadband, communication minister Lord Carter's statement that there is "no economic case" for rolling out the new network in 30 per cent of the country means firms in rural areas will be further restricted.

Jessica McArdle, marketing manager of Top 10 Broadband, said: "The government is restricting the growth of small rural businesses by failing to improve broadband coverage in more remote areas; it's a scandal that so much of the country will be left out of the fibre optic broadband roll-out."

She added that the fibre optic network was supposed to solve problems with network coverage, but is now likely to widen the digital divide.

Earlier this month, South Ayrshire received a fibre optic broadband network courtesy of the i3 Group, which provides broadband speeds of 100Mbps.

It is one of ten the firm plans to build across the UK in the next year. ADNFCR-1186-ID-19139185-ADNFCR

Last Updated: 24/04/2009 18:00

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Exclusion from fibre optic broadband plans 'will harm rural businesses' - Fibre Leads - Article Discussion

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