Press release
From JAMES ELLES, Conservative European MP for the South-East
(with special responsibility for Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire)
Release – Immediate: Thursday, 22 November 2012
LOCAL CAMPAIGN FOR IMPROVED DIGITAL INFRASTRUCTURE GATHERS PACE
Local business leaders, European and local government representatives and broadband industry experts have met in Buckinghamshire to join forces to press for better broadband and mobile coverage.
Digital Business First is a campaign which highlights the urgent need for a national digital strategy that would provide sufficient funding to allow high quality broadband and mobile connectivity in both urban and rural areas.
Businesses in Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire feel the UK is losing the global race due to the lack of good broadband and mobile connectivity.
Speaking at a meeting at The Clare Centre in Saunderton, Alex Pratt, chairman of Buckinghamshire Business First, said that in the last 18 months he has not been to a single meeting where the issue of poor connectivity has not been raised. “There is a general fear we are losing the ability to connect with the rest of the world. We are in a race with other nations and we are not properly equipped to compete.
“Buckinghamshire is a strong county, but it needs to grow and this will not occur when there are constraints to, and lack of investment in, a proper digital strategy,” he insisted.
Darren Cliff, of Cliff Productions, which produces videos and is based in Aston Clinton, explained that they have to transfer a huge amount of data to customers and suppliers but broadband is just not fast enough. For example, a film of 17 minutes’ duration needed required an upload time of 4 hours with four reviews, giving total upload time of 16 hours.
Chris Williams, the chief executive of Buckinghamshire County Council, quoted a speech made by the Prime Minister in which he said: “We are in a global race and everything we do must be geared to winning that global race.” Mr Williams commented: “We are not even at the starting line.” He added that Buckinghamshire County Council’s strategy is one of business and job growth and broadband is a key to that. But funding available is nowhere enough to advance communications.
Lord Erroll, chairman of the Digital Policy Alliance, thought the way forward is to build strong pressure on the Government so they will fear losing votes if they don’t change the strategy. Digital Business First is exactly on the right path.
James Elles said Digital Business First is building consensus and support at a local and regional level and moving to a national level in March, involving the European Internet Foundation, the Digital Policy Alliance, Buckinghamshire Business First, Oxfordshire Business First and high level experts from elsewhere in the UK and rest of Europe.
He reminded the audience of the four vital considerations for success:
• Mobile/broadband is the future. They must be developed together.
• Economic recovery depends on small and medium size enterprises. It is essential they have the proper connectivity where they are.
• Speed of broadband must allow businesses to be competitive in global markets.
• Sufficient resources must be available for priority investments in digital infrastructure. There was a need for the reallocation of priorities.
Ends
For more information contact:
Vic Angell, James Elles’s UK-based researcher
Telephone: 0118 9588111
Mobile: 07710 450150
.