The Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee is launching an
inquiry into Rural broadband and digital only services.
Broadband, mobile infrastructure and access to digital services
remain a central issue for rural communities.
The EFRA Committee intends to hold a short inquiry, following up
on its 2014-15 inquiry into Rural broadband and
digital-only services, to examine the government’s current
proposals and delivery of digital connectivity to rural areas.
Chair of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Committee MP said:
“The EFRA Committee has decided to revisit this subject because –
five years after our initial inquiry – digital connectivity still
remains a core issue for many rural communities.
“The Government has identified the challenges for improving
digital connectivity in rural areas and recently made numerous
policy and funding announcements.
“We want to know if these plans for improving connectivity are
adequate for rural areas and what is being done in the short term
to improve delivery of broadband and improved mobile phone
coverage to those living there.
“The Committee will also test how the Government plans to ensure
access to the growing number of online public services at no
extra cost to rural consumers.
“As previous select committee inquiries have shown, delivery of
broadband in rural areas in the past has been poor. We cannot
allow this problem to continue. The Government and service
providers need to ensure that equal access to a high-quality,
cost-effective service is accessible to all.”
Terms of reference
The Committee is seeking written submissions that address the
following questions:
- What are the barriers to delivering superfast broadband and
improved mobile phone coverage in rural areas at an affordable
cost to consumers?
- Is enough being done to address the disparity in coverage and
digital service provision between rural and urban areas? What is
the impact of the urban-rural digital divide on rural
communities?
- Is the current Universal Service Obligation (USO) adequate
for the needs of rural communities and businesses and will it be
effectively delivered? Given technological developments,
including provision of 5G, will the USO provide the necessary
level of connectivity for rural areas in the next decade?
- Are the Government’s recent policy and funding announcements
for improving digital connectivity adequate for rural areas, and
how robust are the plans for delivery?
- How well do digital public services work in rural areas where
there are poor internet connections? What support or alternatives
are available for those in rural areas with poor or no connection
to use digital public services and how effective is it?
Deadline for submissions
Written evidence should be submitted through the Committee’s web
portal by midnight on Monday 24 June. It is recommended
that all submitters familiarise themselves with the Guidance on giving
evidence to a Select Committee of the House of Commonswhich
outlines particulars of word count, format, document size, and
content restrictions.
Further information:
Committee membership: (Chair) (Conservative),
(Scottish National Party),
(Labour), Dr (Conservative), (Labour), (Labour), Mrs (Conservative), (Democratic Unionist Party),
(Independent), and (Conservative).
