A recent broadband event brought together 80 key stakeholders from across the East Midlands who were keen to understand the digital issues facing rural communities. It also offered the opportunity to develop a rural broadband manifesto to help the region shape its approach to ensuring access to affordable, next generation, super-fast broadband in rural areas.

The 'East Midlands Rural Broadband Summit,' hosted on Friday 12 February by East Midlands Development Agency (emda) in Nottingham, featured ten speakers from both public and private sector organisations. These ranged from BT, the Country Land and Business Association (CLA), Local Authorities and community broadband initiatives.

The various representatives shared their views on the importance of affordable high speed broadband to business growth, economic wellbeing and access to services. Examples of innovative rural broadband projects happening elsewhere in the country were also highlighted in order to share best practice. 

The event was set in the context of Digital Britain, the Government's action plan to secure the UK's place at the forefront of innovation, investment and quality in the digital and communications industries. Published last summer, the Government argued in Digital Britain that around one third of the UK's population would not be served by the market and therefore wouldn't have access to super-fast next generation broadband. 

Research published last July by emda confirmed that this is a real issue in the East Midlands. The 'Working positively with rural estates' study showed that rural estates are making a significant contribution to the region's economy but that poor broadband speed is preventing them from either growing as they would like or developing their assets further.  

Speaking at the event, Alan Srbljanin, emda's Transport and Connectivity Advisor, explained: "We know that rural communities without the latest digital infrastructure face a real risk of missing out on economic and other opportunities. This is why we wanted to bring together our partners from across the region and explore what can be done to address the issue."

Delegates attending the event were invited to put forward their ideas to help inform a rural broadband manifesto for the region and explore the potential for alternative solutions in those areas least likely to be reached by mainstream market providers. emda plans to develop this manifesto over the coming months and is also finalising how the Rural Development Programme for England (RDPE) can be used to support rural broadband initiatives.

As Andrew Morgan, emda's Skills and Communities Director, explained: "A modern digital economy will be essential in helping the East Midlands with the transition beyond economic recession and in supporting the low carbon agenda. We are working with Defra and regional partners to establish how best to use the RDPE to support broadband projects in rural areas."

Further details about the manifesto and RDPE developments will be published on www.emda.org.uk in due course.