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Hundreds of thousands set for ￡800m UK broadband boost today in Express campaign victory

2024-08-13 00:00:00.0 每日快报-政治原网页

Lighthouse maintenance engineer Cameron Davey stands to benefit from the Openreach rollout (Image: CAMERON DAVEY/JONATHAN BUCKMASTER )

Technology Secretary Peter Kyle is “putting a rocket behind” the Express’s regional connectivity campaign as hundreds of thousands get a multimillion-pound broadband boost today.

The Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology praised the Express for our ongoing series highlighting the plight of Brits hit by poor connectivity.

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“We are only four weeks into this Government and we are already announcing an ￡800million broadband upgrade for 312,000 homes and businesses.

“These places have been left behind as the rest of the country marches forward digitally and that is not acceptable to me or this Government. Today we're putting our money and efforts where our mouths are.”

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Peter Kyle has backed the Daily Express’s regional connectivity campaign (Image: EXPRESS)

Outdated broadband infrastructure will be modernised from today to receive major internet speed upgrades across remote areas in England, Scotland and Wales in a landmark deal with telecoms provider Openreach.

It will mean residents in remote areas of Britain, such as the South Wales Valleys, Exmoor National Park and the Forest of Bowland will finally gain access to the fastest connection on the market.

Mr Kyle said: “In today’s world, digital connectivity is vital to fully exploit your potential, not just commercially and economically, but also within your family and relationships.”

He said: “Digital is not removed from the essence of what it means to be human.

“Digital is not noughts on a screen. It is one of the most human aspects of life.

“These are not distant economic transactions. These are very human and emotional needs that we have as people.

“And that is why I take it so seriously.”

Lighthouse maintenance engineer Cameron Davey is set to benefit from the new broadband investment (Image: CAMERON DAVEY)

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The Labour frontbencher said his department was now playing “catch up” on its mission to deliver 100% coverage to communities that have been “left behind” by the “sheer insanity” of previous policies.

He said: “When it comes to digital life, people in rural areas have been isolated, and the sense of isolation has been heightened as the rest of the country gets faster and more reliable.

“It is simply leaving people and communities behind.

“Increasingly the future if our economy is going to be digital and the opportunities are going to be either facilitated or transacted digitally.

“But the sheer insanity of previous policy made it impossible to access it.”

Cameron Davey says better digital connectivity would greatly increase morale at work (Image: CAMERON DAVEY)

'I service and maintain lighthouses in rugged and remote areas of British coastline – better connectivity would boost morale at work'

Cameron Davey at work on a lighthouse (Image: Cameron Davey)

A lighthouse maintenance engineer has praised Openreach for rolling out broadband to the remote areas where he works.

Cameron Davey maintains and services lighthouses situated on the Welsh, North Devon, and North Cumbria coastlines by testing their electrical, electronic and mechanical systems.

He works for Trinity House, a charity dedicated to safeguarding lighthouses and maritime navigation aids in England and Wales, which is set to benefit from the Government’s new broadband investment.

Some of the locations Cameron visits at least twice a year are so remote they require a boat or helicopter transfer.

He said: “My team and I have various backgrounds, with family all over the world.

“Being able to speak to them at any time through video call would greatly increase our morale.”

He added: “Having good connectivity while away could also benefit us in other ways, such as being able to complete distance learning in the downtime we have after the working day.

“This would mean we could progress job-specific education or training which would greatly benefit all parties involved.”

Cameron pointed out that most of the places he worked were “some of the harshest coastlines to enhance the navigation of the mariner”, meaning the current infrastructure for phone signal was “quite poor”.

He said: “When we spend extended periods at these locations, it can become quite isolating not being able to stay in touch with friends and family. Relationships can be tested due to this.

“This connectivity would also help with relationships within our operational team.

“We don’t usually work with the same people for each trip away, so being able to stream some TV, film or sport and watch it together after work can mean increased productivity and morale within the team.”

Some of the locations Cameron visits are so remote they require a helicopter to reach (Image: CAMERON DAVEY)

Mr Kyle went on to say the Express “would not have had to do a digital connectivity campaign if the previous Government had done its bit”.

He said: “But I am wasting no time in delivering on my ambitions to not only catch up to where other countries are but to overtake them and get to 100% connectivity as soon as we can.”

The agreement announced today was hailed as one of the biggest milestones in the rollout of the Government’s Project Gigabit programme, which aims to roll out broadband to hard-to-reach areas.

Places too expensive for providers to reach in their commercial build and which would otherwise be left behind with poor digital infrastructure are being targeted in the ￡5billion scheme.

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