LONDON, June 28, 2016 /PRNewswire/ --
Toople.com is standing up for small
business - wherever they are. Sign
the petition to give fair internet access
for everyone.
Recently, the UK Government performed a huge U-turn on
implementing broadband services to rural areas that do not have
access yet. The hysteria and incredulity was widely felt, and in
Toople.com's opinion, well placed too. Recently, a spokesman for
the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), announced:
"Given the high costs of providing broadband access to premises in
remote areas, it is right that this is done on request, rather than
rolling it out and waiting to see if people in those areas want to
be connected."
(Logo:
http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160510/803275 )
A million homes and businesses
A million homes and businesses in rural areas - Wales, and the Shetland Isles
included - of the country, will not have access to the promised
10Mbps of broadband by 2020. The Digital Bill announced in the
Queen's Speech stated a "Universal Service Obligation" will be
implemented instead. Basically, this means consumers will have to
pay for broadband to be provided by BT. According to the Bill's
background notes: "This would work similarly to the landline
telephone USO (Universal Service Obligation) and, just like
landlines, there would be a reasonable cost threshold, above which
the very remotest properties may be expected to contribute to the
cost of the installation". In Toople.com's opinion this isn't fair.
On the one hand the UK wants to be a leader in the application of
technology, however, remote areas - 5% - must pay to access what
others have freely available.
Access to the internet is not a luxury - a fact underlined by PM
David Cameron - access to this should be for everyone. The 5% of
those who cannot access high speed internet should not have to
request it; to be a 21st Century technology leader 100%
of the population needs to be covered. The nation relies on
broadband so much; in fact, it's a utility leant on like heat,
water and light.
BT subsidy
As recently as 2013, it was reported the coalition Government
issued a £1.2bn subsidy to BT to upgrade its national broadband
network. The coalition twinned the subsidy by publishing a study
suggesting it will deliver benefits to the economy worth 20 times
as much (source: Daily Telegraph). However, since then BT has
returned £258m, leaving the country in the position we are in now.
With rural premises now having to request - and pay for separately
- their own broadband supply, the Government are leaving
businesses, entrepreneurs and homes without an important
connectivity resource.
Petition
Toople.com are launching a campaign; #broadbandforall. No caveats -
just fair access. The UK cannot purport to be a 21st
Century leader and then ask the most remote parts to pay for their
access. Toople.com hope to address this with their petition.
Once it receives 100,000 signatures, it will be debated in
Parliament. Regular users of the internet would be lost without it.
Toople.com aims to make sure everyone within the country is given
the power to access broadband services; business, learning and
knowledge.
https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/132556
Although the DCMS says by the end of 2017, 95% of the country
will have access to broadband service, this clearly isn't good
enough for the remaining 5%. Amongst this percentage will be
businesses. These are the lifeblood for the commercial UK; growing
businesses looking to evolve and improve. Typically, amongst the 5%
will be farmers looking to stay competitive. At Toople.com, we do
not believe they would not want broadband. Farming and its related
community are trying to rebuild themselves; broadband, like water
and electricity will help them live, breathe and evolve. The
Government needs to review this and offer equal opportunities for
everyone.
What's most bizarre is the Government are harming the loyal Tory
voters from rural heartlands.
Toople.com is a forward thinking business. Agile and dynamic;
just like the aspirational businesses that it works with.
Note to editors:
Toople.com is a new service for UK SMEs. We believe in the
potential of every SME and want them to have the tools and service
behind them to reach their full ability. Our package will
offer the most resilient Brilliant Business Broadband services to
every single business across the UK.
With a leadership team featuring over 100 years of broadband and
telephony experience, Toople.com are perfectly placed to deliver
the services that ensure businesses grow. Combine that with
our unbeatable deals, and you can see why we are shaking up the
industry.
With believe in aspirational businesses, therefore, our service
is shaped around them. Clear pricing and applying as little
industry jargon as possible ensures business owners and purchasers
of our services can concentrate on their business's success. At
Toople.com, we pride ourselves on making a difference. Toople -
changing the perception of telecoms one connection at a time.
About Toople
Toople.com is part of Toople PLC and is listed on the London
Stock Exchange under the TIDM "TOOP"
Press and media
Press and media contact marketing@toople.com
Company website
http://www.toople.com
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