Following the launch of the government’s Rural Statement today,
the government has also announced the appointment of as the UK’s first Rural
Connectivity Champion.
Taking up the role which was announced as part of the Wireless
Infrastructure Strategy earlier this year, Mr Fell will
support rural businesses to access and adopt the digital
connectivity they need to encourage commercial investment in 5G
and support economic growth.
The Champion will convene rural businesses and the telecoms
industry to support adoption of digital connectivity in sectors
such as agriculture and develop, in partnership with rural
businesses, a clear understanding of what connectivity is needed
to drive innovation and growth up and down the country.
, Rural Connectivity Champion
said:
I am honoured to have been asked to take up the role of Rural
Connectivity Champion. Poor connectivity is holding back too many
rural communities and businesses, as my own farmers and
businesses in Barrow and Furness will attest.
If we hope to unlock growth, and to ensure that our rural
communities are sustainable, then the government has got to work
hand in glove with local government and the private sector to
deliver better connectivity. I look forward to leading that work
across government and the country.
As a key proponent for digital connectivity in rural areas, Mr
Fell will also support rural communities and businesses in
removing local barriers for the deployment of 5G, gigabit
broadband and more, while driving local leadership and
coordination into the local authorities that make development
decisions.
Mr Fell comes to the role with a background in telecoms, and
cyber security, representing a largely rural constituency in
Cumbria, and is well placed to engage with rural businesses and
support them in understanding how adopting new technology can
make a real difference to their productivity, and help them
continue to innovate.
The new Champion will jointly report to the Secretary of State
for Science, Innovation and Technology and Secretary of State for
Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.
The announcement of Simon Fell as Rural Connectivity Champion
comes as the Government announces a new £7 million fund to test
out new ways to bring together satellite, wireless and fixed line
internet connectivity, helping support farmers and tourism
businesses to access lightning fast, reliable connectivity in
remote areas for the first time.
The results of the new approaches will also help rural businesses
in trial areas make the most of new agricultural technologies by
improving connectivity on their land, for example using
new drone technology to monitor crops and
livestock in real-time, support landscape and wildlife
conservation efforts, or develop interactive experiences for
tourists.
The new fund comes alongside the government’s commitment
earlier this year to deliver improved, high-speed broadband
via satellite connectivity for up to 35,000 homes in the most
remote parts of the UK through an £8 million grant scheme, giving
them a broadband connection that will be up to ten times faster
than what is currently available to them.
It also builds on the progress made over the last decade to
support connectivity in rural areas. Over 75% of UK premises can
now access gigabit-capable broadband, up from 6% at the beginning
of 2019, and over 730,000 premises have already been upgraded in
hard-to-reach rural areas as part of the government’s £5 billion
Project Gigabit investment. Today government also confirmed plans
to procure all regional contracts in England under Project
Gigabit by the end of 2024.
