Survey highlights digital urban-rural divide
NFWI-Wales, in partnership with the CLA, Farmers’ Union of Wales, NFU Cymru and Wales YFC, has launched the findings of a survey into digital connectivity in rural Wales.
The survey has highlighted a gaping hole between urban and rural areas when it comes to access and stability of broadband and mobile phone reception.
Some of the key findings are highlighted below:
- Over 50% of respondents from a rural area felt that the internet they had access to was not fast and reliable;
- Less than 50% of those who lived in rural areas stated they had standard broadband and only 36% had superfast broadband;
- 66% of those who lived in rural areas stated that they or their household had been impacted by poor broadband, compared to their urban counterparts who said 18% had access to standard broadband and 67% had superfast broadband.
- Whilst 80% of participants used their mobile phone to access the internet, just 68% of those with a smartphone had access to a 4G or 5G mobile network to access the internet.
- Describing the mobile signal in their house, 57% of those from a rural area stated that their signal was ‘unreliable’ and 49% of those from a rural area stated that their signal was ‘unreliable’ outdoors.
- 75% of respondents did not know where to access support to improve their broadband connectivity and only 19% were aware of the UK-wide Gigabit Voucher Scheme.
A letter has been sent to the Welsh Government outlining the survey findings and requesting a meeting to discuss the Welsh Government’s vision and roadmap to providing everyone with access to fast and reliable connectivity.
Read the press release below.