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INDUSTRY NEWS


30 May 2008

ISPs 'Must End Rural-Urban Disparity in Broadband Costs'


Internet service providers (ISPs) need to address the digital divide that has emerged between rueal and urban areas as a result of regionalised pricing, it has been claimed.

According to online broadband information service BroadbandChoices.col.uk, rural households are paying up to £10 more per month for their broadband, but this must be rectified as statistics show a higher proportion of people in the countryside than in urban areas are now online.

Michael Phillips, product director for the website, said: "The evidence is there that people in more outlying regions are actually adopting broadband in higher numbers. So the suppliers need to get in there and invest in local exchanges, so that there's not this."

According to a report released last week from telecoms regulator Ofcom, 59 per cent of rural households across the UK have a broadband connection, compared to 57 per cent of those in urban areas.

The report identified Wales are the region with the largest gap – 51 per cent of the country's rural households now have broadband, compared to just 43 per cent of urban households.

© 2006 Adfero Ltd.

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