The latest NFU Digital Access Survey has revealed that rural broadband and mobile coverage falls short of what businesses require.
Key findings from the survey include:
- 21% of respondents have broadband speeds under 10Mbps – compared to the national average of less than 1%.
- Only 22% report reliable mobile signal across their entire farm.
- Nearly one out of ten respondents have no 4G or 5G access.
- Just 33% have access to fibre broadband – significantly below the UK average of 57%.
- Nearly all respondents say mobile signal (98%) and broadband (91%) are important for their business.
The results come as the deadlines for gigabit-capable broadband and full 5G coverage have been pushed back from 2030 to 2032. The NFU adds that while the Shared Rural Network remains on track for completion by the end of this year, the full rollout is not expected until 2027. If the government moves ahead with plans to switch all landlines to digital networks by 2027, this could cutoff farming families and rural communities.
The NFU is now calling on government to prioritise completion of the Shared Rural Network, as well as support all broadband technologies, and provide rural-specific digital skills training.
NFU vice president Rachel Hallos said: “We have been consistently told by government that food security is national security, but to deliver on that farmers need the right tools.
“Reliable broadband and mobile coverage are not optional – they are essential for running efficient, productive farming businesses and ensuring safety in some of the most isolated parts of the country. If a farmer can’t call for help in an emergency, the consequences can be serious.”
