BT has been challenged to come to Monmouthshire to explain why one the county’s villages is among the worst performing areas for broadband speeds in the UK.
Monmouth MP David Davies threw down the gauntlet after figures from the House of Commons library showed Devauden was third on a list of 10 council wards – seven of which are in Wales – with the slowest download speeds.
The UK Government expects an initial minimum speed of at least 10Mbps by 2020 under the new Universal Service Obligation, giving every household a legal right to superfast broadband.
Yet Devauden currently has an average download speed of almost a third of that at just 3.1Mbps.
Mr Davies warned homes and businesses across Monmouthshire were falling into a “digital twilight zone” due to poor broadband coverage.
“I’m going to be inviting senior management from BT to attend a public meeting in Devauden to explain themselves,” he said.
“This is not in any way meant to be hostile, rather an attempt to obtain clear information about what action is being taken to bring fast and reliable broadband to our rural communities.
“I receive complaints on an almost daily basis from constituents who are dealing with appalling gaps in service, not just in Devauden but in many other towns and villages.
“Good digital connectivity is a vital element of modern life and key to the local community. Unfortunately, there is still an awful amount of work to do in Monmouthshire.
“We deserve better.”
It is hoped the separation of BT from its network division Openreach, announced last March, will break up the “natural monopoly” in broadband provision and improve the quality of internet services more quickly, Mr Davies added.