NFU calls for farmers views on broadband and mobile networks

NFU Vice President Guy Smith said “The NFU is calling on the government to make the digital economy universal, so that every farming business can access superfast broadband, at speeds they can afford, with coverage across all of their farms.

“We do not believe that the government is doing enough for farmers and rural communities to get connected. Our members need a plan in place to accelerate the delivery of rural services and lay the foundations for 5G services. Especially as the Government’s proposed broadband Universal Service Obligation of 10Mbps, and BT’s equivalent offer for 1.4 million rural premises, is far lower in speed than urban broadband users receive now.

“The UK as a whole is lagging behind other countries, reportedly being 31^st in the world for average broadband speed and 54^th for 4G coverage.  Our surveys have shown that only 15% of farmers have mobile coverage across the farm in 2016, so it is well past time for the government to take action to bring rural areas up to scratch.

“It is also troubling to us that 4G coverage is being rolled out at a slower rate to rural areas and voice coverage is falling out. This is putting farmers and growers at a disadvantage when they are trying to run innovative, profitable and sustainable businesses.

“The NFU is uniquely placed, with its 46,000 members and in-house survey team, to present credible evidence about everyday issues facing farmers directly to Government and the digital industry. I would encourage as many members as possible to complete this broadband and mobile survey and get their voices heard. “

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Notes to editor:

• ·         The 2017 NFU member survey will run from Wednesday 23^rd August for five weeks. NFU Business Services will be carrying out a telephone survey, along with a link to an online survey on the NFU Broadband and Mobile Page 
• ·         The NFU Spotlight on Farm Broadband and Mobile Networks document, launched in May 2016, sets out the member evidence from the 2015 survey. The document highlights case studies; the range of technological solutions; and recommendations for government and the digital industry. In 2015, 4% of NFU members had superfast broadband[i]; and 15% had a mobile phone service across the farm.
• ·         The NFU Spotlight on Farm Broadband and Mobile Networks: One Year, published in July 2017, updates the survey evidence from 2016and describes how farmers are increasing productivity on farm, using better connectivity through the use of cloud technology and 4G services (and the potential for 5G services). In 2016, 6% of NFU members who could tell us their broadband speeds had superfast broadband and 15% had a mobile service across the farm. The big difference between survey results in 2015 and 2016 was that 75% of members with smartphones could get 4G coverage and were using this technology to get internet services.
• ·          The UK average broadband speed at 16.5 mbps is less than most of Europe, the US, and New Zealand as well as Thailand (Cable.co.ukreported evidence based on over 63 million speed tests).
• ·         Less than half UK broadband connections reach speeds above 24Mbps or deliver superfast speeds. 6.7 million people do not receive speeds over 10Mbps (British Infrastructure Group Broadband report – based on analysis of Ofcom actual speeds).