DIGITAL DIVIDE IN RURAL AREAS

That this House recognises the existence of a digital divide in rural areas of the UK; notes that residents in areas such as Devon are being further exposed to this problem through the digital television switchover; is concerned that residents in South West England are still falling prey to inadequate systems of implementation preventing them from enjoying access to internet, mobile and television services which denies them the benefits of 21st century communications available to others; and calls for the implementation of systems combining the use of satellites and appropriate ground-based communications technology that remove transmission blind spots so that these services are available to everyone irrespective of location.