Survey launched to examine broadband access in rural Wales

A survey has been launched to explore the current state of digital connectivity in rural Wales. This comes ahead of changes to farm policy that will require more paperwork to be completed online.

Farming organisations, including NFU Cymru, the Farmers’ Union of Wales (FUW), Wales Federation of Young Farmers’ Clubs (YFC) and the Country Land and Business Association (CLA), have joined forces with the National Federation of Women’s Institutes – Wales to host the survey.

The poll will seek to explore how people feel about the level of communication they have with their broadband provider, the value of the service, and a further look at how proposed changes to online livestock recording systems will affect the farming community.

See also: Is this Britain’s most expensive broadband?

A separate survey held earlier this year by the same organisations revealed a gaping hole between urban and rural areas when it comes to access and stability of broadband and mobile phone reception.

It found more than 50% of respondents from rural areas felt the internet they had access to was not fast and reliable.

The group hosted a webinar at the virtual Royal Welsh Show in July to highlight the findings of the survey to stakeholders and held discussions with Welsh government ministers to discuss possible solutions.

Poor broadband issues

In a joint statement, the organisations said: “Our last survey revealed that less than 50% of those who lived in rural areas had standard broadband and only 36% had superfast broadband, with 66% stating that they or their household had been affected by poor broadband.

“In comparison, 18% of their urban counterparts said they had access to standard broadband and 67% had superfast broadband.

“As a group we are now keen to learn how well equipped the rural community is to deal with upcoming changes to farming regulations that will require them to complete vast amounts of paperwork online.”

The partners are encouraging all farmers and anyone with an interest in digital connectivity in Wales to complete the survey “to help inform our next steps and communications with stakeholders”.

The online survey is open until 12 December.

Those not able to access the online version can also fill out a paper copy at the respective stands at the Royal Welsh Winter Fair on Monday 29 and Thursday 30 November.