Perthshire business chiefs accuse Virgin Media of ignoring rural areas in broadband push
Perthshire business leaders this week accused communications giant Virgin Media of abandoning communities by failing to provide high-speed broadband to rural Perthshire.
- Published in the Courier : 10.02.12
- Published online : 11.02.12 @ 12.48pm
The firm claimed it is ahead of schedule in rolling out superfast connectivity to 13 million homes in the UK, targeting a spring completion date several months earlier than promised.
However, Perthshire Chamber of Commerce — which fronts the Better Broadband For Perthshire campaign — said Virgin is merely targeting profitable city locations at the expense of businesses and communities in rural areas.
The chamber — which represents around 400 businesses across Perthshire — has called for a meeting with Virgin to learn what provision the company has made to ensure rural businesses are not left in the slow lane.
Chamber president Stephen Leckie said: ''While Virgin Media says it is helping propel Britain up the global broadband rankings, there is no doubt it is leaving many rural areas at the bottom of the league table as broadband backwaters.
''Businesses in rural Perthshire, like other parts of the country, are central to getting us out of these difficult economic times.
''It is ironic that a company with links to Sir Richard Branson is failing in its responsibilities to support the next generation of entrepreneurs.''
Campaign leaders met with BT Scotland last year to press the case for better broadband provision across Perthshire following the release of figures from watchdog Ofcom, showing superfast broadband is only available to 33% of users and Perth and Kinross ranks 120th out of 200 local authorities for fixed broadband connection.
BT confirmed almost 16,400 homes and businesses in Perth are to benefit from superfast broadband by autumn this year, while Blairgowrie, Crieff and Kinross will have next-generation copper broadband by spring.
Mr Leckie said: ''BT Scotland has recognised the need to provide this crucial business link in cities and in less populated areas. We will continue to press the issue to ensure that these promises are delivered.
''But we have been met with silence from Virgin Media. It should afford our wealth of first-class rural-based businesses the courtesy of far more than a second-class service and in many cases no service at all.''
He added: ''Without competitive high-speed links, our rural economy and its home-based businesses will wither and die.
''We need to secure the infrastructure to support our business future and everyone — local council, businesses, politicians and individuals — should be working together to ensure Perth and Kinross is as switched-on as anywhere else in the country.''
The Scottish Government wants to see all of Scotland gain access to next generation broadband by 2020, with progress made by 2015.
Photo by Martin Keene/PA Wire
01.36pm - 11.02.2012 BigBrother - Airstrip One, 1984 Report This
As usual a little knowledge is a dangerous thing, it would take far more than 250 odd characters to point out the many many flaws in their campaign e.g. the differences in technology between cable providers and ADSL providers etc
01.39pm - 11.02.2012 Tavistock Superfast Broadband - Tavistock, England Report This
2020 is a target too far particularly as Europe have a target of 30 Mbps for all by 2020 as well. It is the get out card of being indifferent for 8 long years. The UK Government can join that club as well. Lets have some proper delivery in the 3 years - the UK is waiting far too long.
04.12pm - 11.02.2012 Keth F - Glasgow, UK Report This
If you're looking to do an article about Virgin then you really should include an image of a cable router rather than an ADSL one, numpties! :)
01.38pm - 12.02.2012 James Sutherland - Perth, Scotland Report This
Complaining about cable - a high-density urban technology - not being in rural areas is absurdly ignorant. What next, complain the villages also lack airports and motorways? In a rural area, the phoneline-based broadband from BT is simply better suited - and Virgin offer that too.
06.12pm - 12.02.2012 AJ - Dundee, Scotland Report This
Virgin also provide an ADSL service. :)
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