MEP calls for help not hindrance from EU on rural broadband

Vicky Ford, MEP for the East of England, raised the issues surrounding rural broadband access in the European Parliament this week. Speaking in a debate with Neelie Kroes, the European Commissioner for the Digital agenda, Vicky described the two-tier scenario that is developing between those homes and businesses with broadband access and those without.

Vicky, whose previous business experience included raising finance to build some of the UK's first mobile phone networks, has in recent months attended meetings in Norfolk, Suffolk and Essex to bring together members of the local council and representatives of local business as well as broadband providers.

Vicky said:

"This is a huge issue and I don't currently see a one-size-fits-all solution. However, there are lots of clever, innovative providers who want to help our towns and rural areas.

If isolated, hard to reach, areas are to achieve broadband access then it is important that there is a more efficient use of existing fibre and other infrastructure, including public sector owned internet connections.

However, when I have been speaking to council representatives and broadband providers in East Anglia, I have found a lot of confusion about EU state aid rules. These appear to be adding confusion and delay for projects which look to harness existing public sector infrastructure to deliver maximum benefit to local people.

It was pleasing to see such a senior Euro-official treating the matter of rural broadband with the same level of concern as I do. She has offered to meet me in the coming weeks so I hope we will get clearer guidelines that help unlock local solutions."

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