Broadband in the Countryside
Tom_P
For many years those in the country waited and waited for broadband to come to their villages and hamlets. Now it seems that overall, the countryside has finally overtaken towns and cities in the connection tables. A recent report released by Ofcom state that nearly sixty percent of rural households now have broadband compared to fifty seven percent of those in urban areas. It may seem rather inconsequential, but it is the first time in the history of broadband that rural areas are better connected that urban regions. Just four years ago it was the case that urban homes were twice as likely to receive broadband as those in the country; undoubtedly the rate of expansion has been rapid.
An Ofcom spokesman argued that this clearly shows a closing of the geographical divide in terms of broadband access. The report also went further to look into which regions were the best connected and also the different ways users are connected across the nation.
Surprisingly Sunderland is the most connected city in the UK with around two thirds of households being connected. Additionally, ninety six percent of homes in Sunderland have digital television. In comparison the worst connected city was Glasgow with only a third of households having broadband access. Shockingly the homes of the nearby Highlands and Islands of Scotland had a connection level of sixty two percent, almost double that of Glasgow. This can be seen as a result of the work of broadband companies to bring access to the extremities of Scotland.
Other findings in the report highlight how the use of technology is changing the way we communicate. Apparently almost twenty percent of homes now rely solely on a mobile without a fixed phone line. The report also showed an increased use of 3G mobile technology and the increase of mobile internet use in the UK.
The report clearly shows that technology is becoming a larger part of our lifestyle. All over the country the internet and digital television is becoming evermore included in our daily lives. While the encroachment of the high speed internet to the localities continues, it seems like nowhere in the country will be deemed as isolated in the future.
Posted on: Friday, May 23, 2008 at 11:11 am 
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