Over the years I’ve heard some horror stories of people in rural areas having horribly slow internet speeds. Some places are even referred to as ‘notspots’. Compared to those of us in towns and cities the individuals who are more remote often need and rely on the technology more. A small amount of help is coming, 11 rural communities will be receiving 3G broadband courtesy of UK mobile network 3. It is a result of the communications company working with the ‘Countryside Alliance’ and ‘Race Online 2012′.
The Gringley-on-the-Hill community in Nottinghamshire are the first lucky group who will be equiped with 30 mobile broadband dongles and data at no charge for a year. There will also be free Wi-Fi hotspots in the local pub and community centre. 
10 more communities will follow after them, as of yet they don’t appear to have been confirmed.
Once up and running the residents will have access to the internet at speeds up to 2Mbps, although at peak times no doubt that figure will drop.
Long Term Goals
The UK government have pledged that we will have the best super-fast fibre optic broadband network in the whole of Europe by the year 2015. With 90% of us benefiting from super-fast access (24Mbps or more), with everybody getting access to speeds of at least 2Mbps. Let’s hope Cameron and his fellow politicians ensure they meet the target.
How important is it really for remote areas to have good access? The simple answer is ‘very’. With local shops declining, the population getting older, and increasingly harsh winters making getting about even tougher – communicating and shopping online is growing in importance for these areas. Here is a YouTube video on the subject.
What do you think of the plan? Are 3 doing it just to get in bed with the Government ahead of the push to get people online before 2015?
Related Statistics to this Article
All figures are according to research firm Ofcom.
- 64% of UK adults have a PC in their home.
- 53% of UK adults have internet access in their home.
- 17% of British households are using mobile broadband services to surf the internet.
- 7% relying on it as their only means of getting online.
As you can see from that interesting data, we still have a way to go in this country to get those figures higher.
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