HOMEOWNERS and businesses across Bromsgrove will have a legal right to demand faster broadband speeds by 2020, under a new ruling from the government.
The government has announced that a regulatory Universal Service Obligation (USO) will give everyone in the UK access to speeds of at least 10 Mbps by 2020.
It’s welcome news for Bromsgrove MP Sajid Javid, who has worked with rural communities in Dodford and Upton Warren to resolve their poor broadband service and slow speeds.
He said: “I’m delighted that the government will be pressing on to deliver the Universal Service Obligation (USO).
“This ambitious approach means that every single one of my constituents in Bromsgrove will have a legal right to high speed broadband in their homes by 2020.
“Securing better broadband for Bromsgrove continues to be one of my priorities as your local MP.
“I’ve been busy organising public meetings and expressing residents’ concerns to BT, Openreach, Worcestershire County Council and my colleagues in government.”
The news comes weeks after Worcestershire County Council announced a £6.2 million expansion to extend its broadband roll-out to more than 5,300 further Worcestershire households and businesses.
Mr Javid added: “The USO, along with the £6.2m of additional investment in Worcestershire's connectivity announced this month, represents real progress on this issue.
“This is good news for Bromsgrove.”
Speeds of at least 10Mbps is the standard that Ofcom, the independent regulator, says is needed to meet the requirements of an average family.
The move was preferred ahead of an offer from BT - which is responsible for the country’s infrastructure - to deliver universal broadband through a voluntary agreement.
Culture Secretary Karen Bradley said: “We are grateful to BT for their proposal but have decided that only a regulatory approach will make high speed broadband a reality for everyone in the UK, regardless of where they live or work.
“This is all part of our work on ensuring that Britain’s telecoms infrastructure is fit for the future and will continue to deliver the connectivity that consumers need in the digital age.
“We know how important broadband is to homes and businesses and we want everyone to benefit from a fast and reliable connection.”