Claire Perry MP has welcomed the announcement by Ed Vaizey MP, Minister for the Digital Economy, that the Government remains firmly committed to the rollout of superfast broadband in rural areas.
£7.2m of government funding has been allocated to Wiltshire for the Superfast Broadband Programme and phase one has ensured that 91 per cent of premises were connected by March 2016, whilst 95 per cent of premises will be connected by the planned end of phase two in December 2017.
The Government will now legislate to bring superfast broadband to the remaining five per cent – the hardest to reach areas – by a Universal Service Obligation which will mean people in those areas have a legal entitlement to request it.
Commenting, Claire Perry said: “Fast broadband is as vital to people and businesses as our roads and railways, and that is why a full, speedy and consistent rollout is one of my six local priorities.”
“I sit on the ministerial digital infrastructure task force which means that I can actively champion the needs of rural areas like those I represent and I welcome Ed Vaizey’s statement that the Government is fully committed to rolling out this vital service.”
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