Action required on broadband connections

Oct 16 2009

POLITICIANS have joined forces to condemn broadband connections across Ayrshire.

The claim the service in large parts of the county are disgraceful.

And they’ve called on the communications watchdog Ofcom to take urgent action.

Central Ayrshire Brian Donohoe insists that the organisation is too busy fussing over relatively small problems in London to bother with real problems in rural communities like Ayrshire.

And along with MPs and MSPs from across the county – including MP Sandra Osborne and MSP Cathy Jamieson – he says that it’s time service providers were held to account.

He said: “Ofcom have consistently denied there is any kind of urban/rural divide. But from my post bag I know that simply isn’t true.

“Distance from the exchange is the excuse that is regularly trotted out by the internet providers, without any effort to improve the situation.”

Mr Donohoe explained that some providers promise eight megabytes but only deliver six.

He’s had complaints from residents in Troon claiming that they’re paying for eight megabytes and only receiving one.

“What is more, I am not just hearing from people in small villages about poor speeds but from places like Troon, which is hardly a backwater.”

“It simply isn’t good enough.”

Politicians claim that the poor service is putting Ayrshire folk at a major disadvantage.

MP for Ayr, Carrick and Cumnock, Mrs Osborne said: “In a constituency like mine I know only too well how vital fast broadband connection is, not only for individual households but for small rural businesses. I want to see needed investment into fast reliable broadband and quickly.”

And MSP for Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley, Ms Jamieson pointed out: “It is unacceptable that local people are paying for a service they are not receiving.

“The broadband speed advertised should be the speed delivered by the providers.

“ Improved broadband speeds would be of great benefit to the local economy, and help countless people across the area in their daily lives.”