I appreciate how important broadband is to both individuals and businesses. Reliable, fast broadband is now seen as the norm, not a nice-to-have.
I understand just how frustrating it is to have a bad broadband connection. Therefore, I am currently working with the Parish Councils, East Sussex County Council and BT to hold a conference later this year on how we can improve mobile and broadband service in hard to reach areas within the constituency.
Moreover, I have spent a lot of my time in Parliament championing the need for universal broadband coverage, an example is contained in the link below where I raised a question on behalf of the Parish Councils to the House of Commons. As well as championing in Parliament, I have also met with the County Council to discuss the broadband delivery in rural areas within the constituency. https://hansard.parliament.uk/Commons/2016-06-09/debates/16060923000021/Broadband?highlight=broadband#contribution-16060923000086. I spoke on the Digital Economy Bill in Parliament, you can view my speech here: https://www.huwmerriman.org.uk/news/huw-speaks-digital-economy-bill
A good broadband service underpins economic growth and allows homes to function in a digital age. Over 90 per cent of UK premises are now able to connect to superfast broadband, and we are on track to reach 95 per cent by the end of next year. This means that the UK has the highest superfast broadband coverage amongst the top five European economies. But I recognise that more needs to be done to ensure that all parts of the country have the access to the broadband they need.
I welcome Ofcom's determination in tackling issues that may prevent this from happening. Ministers have noted its view that the current relationship between BT and Openreach will not deliver the country's needs for more competition, better innovation and better service and they strongly support Ofcom in taking whatever action is needed to correct any competition problems, however radical a change that might be. The Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) are clear that a more independent Openreach is needed to benefit consumers and the UK's digital infrastructure. I share Ministers' concerns that BT's proposals do not go far enough and think it is right that full structural separation remains an option.