MONMOUTH MP David Davies is offering to help households and communities interested in taking up one of three new initiatives to provide rural areas with affordable internet access.
Vodafone, Three and Avanti Communications have all launched schemes aimed at connecting some of Monmouthshire’s most isolated broadband and internet ‘not-spots’.
Avanti is willing to install satellite broadband for free in a select few properties in the county for a nominal monthly charge in order to demonstrate its efficacy, while Three has joined forces with Race Online and the Countryside Alliance to provide free mobile broadband connectivity to areas poorly served by fixed-line incumbents.
Vodafone is looking for 12 communities across the UK to take part in rural mobile coverage trials of innovative technology, which will potentially bring affordable 3G mobile internet coverage to rural areas. The trials are due to start early in 2012.
As Chair of the Welsh Affairs Committee, Mr Davies has been leading a parliamentary inquiry into broadband in Wales and welcomed efforts to boost access to vital digital services.
“Broadband, or rather the lack of it, constitutes a large percentage of my postbag and this is a big, big problem affecting many people in all corners of Monmouthshire,” he said.
“I have no reason to doubt Vodafone, Three or Avanti as they are all well known companies in their field, although I wish to make it clear that I am not officially endorsing them. However, I am keen to explore ways of delivering improved internet and broadband access and would be more than happy to work with communities or individual households in Monmouthshire who wanted to take up any of these offers”.
For further information, email david.davies.mp@parliament.uk or telephone the constituency office on 01291 672817.