TECHNOLOGY Secretary Michelle Donelan has backed the Daily Express's regional broadband campaign, as rural communities fight for full digital coverage.
Ms Donelan said she "recognises the importance of connectivity" as she insisted her department is "on track" to deliver better 4G mobile coverage across the UK.
It comes as residents of a Devon village revealed their agonising nine-year battle to get connected after being quoted £115,161 for full-fibre broadband.
Volunteers in the rural community of Northleigh, near Honiton in East Devon, "took matters into their own hands" to organise for 7.5 miles of new fibre to be installed in 2015.
About five years later, just 30 out of 120 homes were connected after villagers went directly to infrastructure provider Openreach so they could set up a community scheme. They were forced to change course following what they described as a "horrific" struggle with rural broadband arranger Connecting Devon and Somerset (CDS).
Openreach said it is now "on track" to complete the work next month after funding was secured via a Government voucher scheme.
Airbnb host resident Andrea Wood, 64, described the experience as a "terrible travesty". She said: "The waste of public money has been dire.
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة March 19, 2024 من Daily Express.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 8500 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك ? تسجيل الدخول
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة March 19, 2024 من Daily Express.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 8500 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك? تسجيل الدخول
Gun May Hold DNA Clue To Alps Murder Mystery
COLD case detectives believe DNA testing on a gun could hold the key to solving the murder of three Britons and a French cyclist in the Alps.
Israeli Tanks Roll In To Surround Gaza
Hamas weapon smuggling tunnels found near Egypt border, IDF claims
PEP'S PUPILS
Graduates of the management masterclass rising to top jobs
England power up for a shot at ruling the world
SALT AND BUTTLER CUT LOOSE FOR SERIES WIN
Mother 'heartbroken' as son and husband die on Highlands hike
A MUM is \"heartbroken\" after the bodies of her missing 12-year-old boy and husband were found in the Highlands.
Second beach stabbing victim out of hospital
A WOMAN has been discharged from hospital after being seriously injured alongside Amie Gray, who stabbed to death on a beach.
Killer teacher who buried partner jailed for 20 years
A TEACHER who slit her boyfriend's throat after offering him sex was jailed for life with a minimum of 20 years.
'Ann worked in the pensions department but even she didn't know about changes'
'The last three years were lost years...to me Ann was denied time and that's worth more than money'
Girl, 9, fighting for life after hitman shooting
A GIRL aged nine was fighting for her life last night after being shot when a hitman fired into a busy London restaurant, also hitting three men.
£54m benefits fraud gang jailed
A GANG of five Bulgarian crooks who cheated taxpayers out of almost £54million in Britain's biggest benefit fraud have been jailed.