East Mids MEP speaks in debate about rural broadband

East Midlands Conservative MEP Emma McClarkin spoke out in the Culture and Education committee yesterday about the need for High Speed Broadband in rural areas.

During the debate with Commissioner Neelie Kroes, who looks after the EU’s Digital Agenda, Emma urged Mobile broadband to be introduced into rural and remote areas, and asked about access to Cable broadband in the East Midlands.

The Commissioner pledged that the EU would introduce 800mhz broadband across the EU by 2013 as this will help to stimulate growth, increase investment and prevent other regions from gaining an unfair advantage.

Speaking following the debate, Emma said:

“I wanted to raise the point about the problems my constituents experience with access to broadband for rural communities in today’s debate to bring the issue to wider attention, and I’m glad that the Commissioner agreed with my points.

“I know just how much parts of the East Midlands – including rural parts of Lincolnshire, Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire and Northamptonshire – suffer with not having access to high speed internet or indeed access to any internet at all. The effects of these communities remaining disconnected is a great worry.

“In a world where so many things are now done online, having internet speeds not much faster than dial-up seriously compromises the ability of people and businesses to trade online.

“This has a detrimental effect on growth and the economy in those areas, and something has to be done about it. All broadband delivery mediums need to be looked at and mobile broadband put as a priority in rural areas where cable is not possible. A huge amount of investment is needed, and fast.”