David Jones, MP for Clwyd West, has written to the Head of Openreach protesting the poor access to broadband in North Wales.
Government figures have revealed that 33 per cent of Clwyd West constituents are currently receiving broadband speeds under 10 Mbps, the speed Ofcom deems necessary for ‘decent broadband’.
The worst affected are the wards of Llanbedr Dyffryn Clwyd and Llangynhafal, where 93.8 per cent of lines are unable to receive 10 Mbps, and Efenechtyd, where 27.7 per cent receive under 2 Mbps.
David Jones said:
‘These figures are extremely disappointing and show that a number of my constituents continue to be disadvantaged by lack of proper access to broadband.
‘For too long people in rural North Wales have found themselves putting up with a third rate service, while users in towns and cities enjoy superfast connections.
‘I have written to Openreach, urging them to improve areas of poor broadband up to the level for ‘decent broadband’.’
The text of David Jones’ letter to OpenReach is as follows:
Dear Mr Selley,
I am extremely concerned that 33 per cent of Clwyd West constituents are currently receiving broadband speeds under 10 Mbps.
Broadband is an important facility in the 21st century and it is becoming increasingly difficult to live acceptably without it. However, in these circumstances, it is hard to see how my constituents in such poorly supported areas can realistically engage with the modern world.
Throughout my time as an MP, I have campaigned for better broadband access for rural communities and have previously been encouraged by schemes, such as BT’s “Race to Infinity”, to improve access to broadband. Unfortunately, in my constituency, the results of such programmes have been far from adequate.
Average broadband speeds in Clwyd West are currently 46 per cent lower than the national average. This issue is most prominent in Llanbedr Dyffryn Clwyd and Llangynhafal, where, shockingly, 93.8 per cent of lines are unable to receive 10 Mbps, and Efenechtyd where 27.7 per cent receive under 2 Mbps.
27,400 homes in my constituency were connected for broadband access under the Government’s Broadband Programme. However, it is not sufficient simply to connect the premises; my constituents must be able to use that infrastructure to the Ofcom recommended download speed of 10 Mbps for decent access to broadband.
For too long North Wales people have found themselves putting up with a third rate service, while users in towns and cities enjoy superfast connections.
I would appreciate your observations on this matter and, given the seriousness of the situation, encourage you to address the issue as a matter of urgency.
Yours sincerely.
