The Parish Council has set up a Broadband and Mobile Connectivity Working Group to address the poor broadband and mobile connectivity in St Leonards and St Ives. The aim of this group is to achieve faster broadband speeds and improve the mobile signal for local residents. This article is the start of the communication process to keep parishioners updated on the progress of this important issue.
Background
Over the next decade, technology will increasingly impact all our lives. With services moving online, having access to ultrafast broadband and a reliable mobile signal will be essential. For instance, healthcare services are increasingly moving online, with doctor appointments happening over the phone or via online meetings. Ordering prescriptions can already be done online with free delivery.
Openreach has set a target to switch off existing copper cable phone lines by 2026, which will make reliable mobile and broadband services even more critical. Without access to high-speed internet and mobile connectivity, residents may be excluded from essential services. Unfortunately, Dorset has one of the lowest access rates for ultrafast broadband (58%) in the UK, compared to the national average of 84%, and the region also suffers from poor mobile connectivity.
The Problem
The parish has some of the worst mobile connectivity in the UK, with many residents experiencing no signal indoors or poor signal even when outside. Dorset Council has acknowledged that our parish is one of the worst areas in Dorset for mobile connectivity, particularly after the switch-off of 3G networks.
What is the Parish Council Working Group Doing?
- Conducting extensive research and building a solid evidence base to demonstrate the poor services.
- Establishing contacts with Dorset Council and broadband infrastructure providers, including Openreach, Trooli, and Wessex Internet.
- Meeting with Openreach to understand their build plans and advocating for improved broadband speeds.
- Meeting with digital infrastructure providers to explore ways to enhance connectivity.
Next Steps
To successfully improve connectivity, support from the community is essential. The group is running open meetings for residents to explain the new technologies and their benefits. These meetings will simplify the technology and language used around broadband and mobile services, ensuring that everyone can understand the changes coming.
The first two meetings will take place at the Village Hall on 17th January 2025 at 7pm and 18th January 2025 at 2pm.
How You Can Help
We are also conducting a survey to better understand residents’ current internet and mobile connectivity. If you have expertise in mobile or broadband services, please get in touch. Your skills could help us achieve our goals.
For more information, visit the parish website at stleonardsparishcouncil.gov.uk, or contact us via email at broadband@stleonardsparishcouncil.gov.uk.
Contact Information
Mr. J Ross, Parish Clerk
Parish Office, Village Hall, Braeside Road, St Leonards, Ringwood, BH24 2PJ
Telephone: 01425 482727
Email: clerk@stleonardsparishcouncil.gov.uk
