Most farmers are still struggling to get mobile phone coverage and reliable internet access, according to a survey.
The National Farmers’ Union (NFU) surveyed 800 of its members and found 85% had an unreliable outdoor mobile phone signal and 82% also had an unreliable indoor mobile phone signal. Just 6% had access to superfast download speeds.
The survey also found that a serious lack of broadband coverage continues to exist with only 6% of farmers having access superfast download speeds.
NFU vice president Guy Smith said government must wake up and make the rollout of superfast broadband to all farms a priority, alongside complete mobile phone coverage.
“No signal for mobile phone voice or text and a severe lack of broadband coverage is creating a real barrier for those farm businesses and putting them at a disadvantage,” he said as he criticised the ‘digital divide’.
“The ever-growing digital divide between urban and rural workplaces needs to be bridged.
“Government should recognise that, internationally, the UK is trailing behind other countries, putting our farmers at a competitive disadvantage.
“That’s why we are calling on Government to adopt a much more ambitious approach to finding ways to get fast broadband to those areas that need it most.”
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