MPs unite on rural broadband

Over 100 members of parliament have signed an Early Day Motion calling for the government to do more to bring broadband to rural areas.

The cross-party motion, sponsored by Labour MP Jim Knight, was signed by 64 Labour MPs, 29 Conservatives, 14 Liberal Democrats, three Plaid Cymru MPs, three Scottish Nationalists and two Ulster Unionists.

The motion notes that many rural businesses are unable to access affordable broadband services and are at a disadvantage to urban competitors.

"We call upon BT and other infrastructure providers to be transparent and open in their promotion of the current and future availability of affordable broadband in rural areas," the motion said.

The MPs called for more work from the government and telcos to increase the roll-out of broadband to rural areas.

All levels of government should "maximise the opportunity" to facilitate projects offering higher bandwidth than digital subscriber line in rural areas, they said.