Classic episode: Can better connectivity boost rural business?

This episode was first published on 10 January 2025.

Anyone who works outside of a major city, or has ever tried to get work done while on a trip to a more rural location, knows that rural connectivity can be patchy. 

Despite the UK’s high population density and relative lack of difficult terrain, rural connectivity remains an uneven picture. Many rural businesses are still struggling to receive fiber optic cables, let alone leverage 5G signals to keep up with the demands of modern business.

Is UK connectivity improving? And how far have we still got to go?

In this episode, Jane and Rory speak to David Happy, non-executive director at JET Connectivity and non-executive chairman for transport at Wales Fiber, and Colin Wood, innovation lead at Dorset Council, to better understand the state of rural connectivity in the UK.

Read more:

• UK rural businesses set for broadband improvements
• Invest 2035: the UK's modern industrial strategy
• UK gov has ramped up broadband roll-outs to tackle 'hard-to-reach' areas in 2023
• BT and OneWeb succeed in "game changer" satellite connection trial
• The battle for space broadband dominance is hotting up
• UK government to run Starlink trials in Snowdonia, Lake District