Have your say on rural broadband and mobile phone coverage
©Juice/Rex Shutterstock The NFU has launched the first farmer-focused broadband and mobile phone survey in a bid to inform its work on getting an efficient service rolled out in rural areas.
The union said it was essential that the business needs and opportunities of the farming sector were understood, especially at a time when farm businesses relied increasingly on broadband and mobile phone signals.
“This is a hugely important survey, our member experience will prove invaluable for identifying both the barriers and technological solutions for the delivery of fast, reliable and affordable mobile phone signals and broadband on farm,” said NFU vice-president Guy Smith.
See also: Broadband in all rural areas ‘vital’ for growth – CLA
The NFU 2015 election manifesto called for an “accelerated rollout of high-speed broadband to all rural areas to provide universal coverage equivalent to urban areas”.
The survey results will be used to support the NFU’s work towards ensuring the delivery of a fast, reliable and affordable mobile phone and broadband service for all farmers.
For example, it will help the NFU to contribute towards Ofcom’s Strategic Review of Digital Communications as well as its wider work on planning issues and discussions with digital industries on the value of the farming market.
One key aim of the survey is to find out exactly what broadband speeds farmers and growers currently have.