Internet frustration for North Lincolnshire firms and residents

RURAL businesses and residents in North Lincolnshire have become frustrated with broadband speeds up to 20 times below their advertised rates.

Many areas in the region have seen broadband speed drop to a reported 0.1Megabits per second (Mbps), despite receiving packages advertising a rate up to 20 times faster.

The Government has promised to upgrade everyone to 2 Mbps by 2012, with a broadband tax of 50p per month on phonebills will be used to provide even faster connections by 2017.

Cath Farrell, North Lincolnshire branch secretary of the Campaign for the Protection of Rural England (CPRE), said: "Broadband in certain rural areas is incredibly poor and it creates a two-tier society between those who have access to modern communications and those who don't."

Martin Golland, of Langold Estates Ltd, Deepdale, avoids using the internet in his business due to unreliable connection.

He said: "We've been without the internet for weeks on end before, so when it comes to the business I'd much rather stick with more traditional methods."

A BT spokesperson advised broadband users that complaints about internet performance need to be registered through individual service providers before they can be investigated.

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