Anger at rural areas stuck with 'prehistoric' internet

MINISTERS are under pressure to ramp up the rollout of broadband with thousands of people in rural Britain stuck with “prehistoric” internet speeds.

- BY STEPH SPYRO Environment Editor

Caroline Voaden, Liberal Democrat MP for South Devon, described fast, reliable internet connections a “basic requirement for modern life”.

She added that it was “a necessity, not a luxury, yet thousands in rural Britain are stuck with speeds that are frankly prehistoric compared to the cities”.

Ms Voaden said: “What is striking is how consistent the experience of poor broadband is across rural Britain.

“In May, I participated in a debate on this issue, where MPs all said the same thing: if this was happening in urban areas, it would have been solved by now.

“But since it is rural, there is an expectation we can all make do without this basic necessity. Let's not forget that wages are often lower in rural areas.