Theresa May has held a meeting with senior executives at BT to discuss her constituents’ concerns about the provision of broadband and super fast broadband in parts of her constituency. A number of constituents in Waltham St Lawrence, Fifield and Hurley have raised issues about their broadband connectivity and Theresa sought assurances from BT that action was being taken to address them. Theresa raised her specific concern about the negative effect on businesses and people working from home that a lack of broadband connectivity has.
Recognising the lack of capacity at the Twyford exchange, BT have recently increased the number of connections available at the cabinet, meaning more people will be able to gain access to the fibre optic broadband. Part of the problem is the rural nature of the area and it was suggested that Broadband Extension Technology (BET) can be used to boost poor broadband speeds in areas that are further from the exchange. BT also outlined their plans to roll out fibre based broadband to two thirds of the UK, with the Government’s Broadband Delivery UK (BDUK) strategy aiming to provide for the remaining third. However, the BDUK strategy requires Local Authorities to submit plans and undertake tendering before works can start and Theresa will be writing to other Berkshire MPs, Local Authorities and Parish Councils in an attempt to speed up this process locally.
Commenting, Theresa said: “It is not right that in the Thames Valley, an area close to London and Heathrow and now considered to be a burgeoning technology hub, we do not have a stable and reliable broadband connection. I am hopeful that the work being undertaken by BT, and the Government through BDUK, to provide fibre based broadband will improve this situation dramatically and allow business and individuals in my constituency, and the surrounding area, to thrive.”
