This week Parliament voted on the Digital Economy Bill in
Parliament. This Bill is an important part of the government’s programme laid
out in the Queen’s Speech earlier this year and will implement a number of
policies seeking to make our country more digitally competitive.
At the heart of the Bill is a commitment to make broadband
connections a Universal Service Obligation. This will put broadband on the same
footing as telephone and electricity as an essential service. Access to fast and
reliable broadband connection is becoming more and more essential in today’s
world whether it is staying in touch via email or social media, for business,
entertainment or online shopping.
In Cornwall in particular, the rural nature of much of our
county means that those living in the countryside or coastal areas often
unfairly miss out on having the very best in broadband infrastructure. In fact,
complaints of this nature are a big issue, and I have had many of you contact me
with problems accessing and retaining a decent level of broadband. Whilst
Cornwall fairs well when compared to our rural areas, our constituency in St
Austell and Newquay falls into the bottom 30% of Parliamentary constituencies
overall for the availability of superfast connections.
I am therefore particularly pleased then, that this Bill is
being brought forward early in the Parliamentary session and although it will
not take full effect for a few years yet at least we can establish the
principle of the new ‘Universal Broadband Obligation’.
This obligation entitles consumers to a minimum speed,
enhances switching and compensation for communication services, and provides a
new Electronic Communications Code to deal with phone and internet infrastructure.
It will make the roll-out of new infrastructure cheaper and subject to
simplified regulations.
The telecoms standards regulator Ofcom has specifically
stated that the Universal Broadband Obligation will ensure that the households
living in areas with poor connection speeds are not excluded from the benefits
of a digital society and thus the implementation of the legislation in this
Bill will have a major tangible impact on the many people living in
Mid-Cornwall who have to date been poorly served.
Improving the speed and availability was a manifesto
commitment of the Conservatives in 2015, and this is another occasion where
this Government is delivering on our promises. Combined with the continuing
action Ofcom is taking that I hope will lead to broadband infrastructure provider
Openreach becoming increasingly separate from BT, this statutory obligation for
decent broadband speed for consumers is a huge step forward.
Whilst we wait for this Bill to be passed and come into full
effect, I will continue to work with the Cornwall Development Company,
Openreach and internet service providers locally to ensure that we get the
possible deal for Mid-Cornwall, while ensuring in Parliament that more
legislation like this gets voted through to help those who need it most.
As always, my team and I are here to serve the whole
constituency and work hard to make a real difference to the lives of everyone
needing support. If there is an issue you would like my assistance on then
please contact me on either 01726 829379 or office@stevedouble.org.uk.
Additionally, I hold regular, appointment only, advice surgeries across the
constituency. Dates of these can be found at: www.stevedouble.org.uk/events
