Shropshire broadband campaigners' fears over move to extend BT contract
Campaigners fighting for better broadband coverage in Shropshire say a decision to extend BT's contract will widen the gulf between areas with good and poor speeds.
The Shropshire and Marches Campaign for Better Broadband in Rural Areas group said if Shropshire Council extends its current contract with BT this week, it would leave many with little chance of seeing their broadband service improved.
The group said the council is recommended to extend the contract to roll out the service in the county, which is set to be rubber-stamped at a meeting at Shirehall at 10am on Thursday.
But Patrick Cosgrove, of the campaign group, said: "It will have a lasting impact on the economic and social viability of rural communities.
"We believe that extending the present contract with BT, which is the basis of what county councillors will be advised to do, will only succeed in widening the gulf between those areas with good broadband speeds and those with few prospects of seeing their service improved.
"Those homes and businesses left behind may soon face the choice of waiting around to receive a guaranteed speed of 2Mb, which is quite unworkable in today's digital world, or subscribing to satellite broadband which is expensive and has drawbacks such as signal latency.
"We see no reason why the contract for continued roll-out should not be put out to competitive tender, along with the conditions that those areas suffering from poor broadband should be prioritised, and bids should be invited to cover all remaining parts of the county.
"BT would be free to bid against competitors rather than have another massive amount of taxpayers' money handed to them on a plate.
"In the public session of the council meeting we will be pressing council leader Keith Barrow for assurances on these matters."
Valerie Whately, chairman of the Bettws-y-Crywn Parish Council, near Newtown, added: "There is no doubt that this is a problem for this parish which is served by three exchanges.
"Those on the Kerry exchange are particularly disadvantaged as they are some considerable distance from the actual exchange. For them speeds are miserably low.
"Those on the Clun exchange have poor speeds and have already been told that they are not going to have connection speeds improved."
Meanwhile, moves to improve broadband speeds in Mid Wales have been hailed as "vital" for the region's economy.
Superfast Cymru, a partnership between BT and the Welsh Assembly, is rolling out superfast fibre optic broadband across Powys.
Powys County Council has described the project as a huge boost for the region's economy. Councillor Rosemarie Harris said: "The continued roll-out of superfast broadband coupled with grants for businesses for connection are a welcome boost for the county."
