 The Countryside Alliance is working with Race Online and Three the mobile operator, and in a Rural Broadband Working Group (RBWG), looking at how mobile broadband can help rural communities get better connected. First to benefit earlier this year were the residents of Gringley-on-the-Hill in North Nottinghamshire who received 30 dongles and public wifi hotspots in the local pub and community centre. Further trials are being rolled out across the UK with locations being chosen thanks to suggestions from Countryside Alliance members.
To highlight the work the RBWG is doing, Gringley MP John Mann has tabled an Early Day Motion (EDMs) in Parliament. EDMs are a way for MPs to note, publicly, the concerns of their constituents by signing in support of an issue. The more signatures an EDM has, the more likely it will be successful in getting Government to notice and act on an issue.
Please write/email your MP asking them to sign EDM 2211. You can find you MP contact details at http://findyourmp.parliament.uk/. The text for a suggested letter appears below the EDM.
The EDM reads as follows:
That this House believes that mobile broadband has an important role to play in delivering internet access to rural communities; welcomes the action taken by the Rural Broadband Working Group, consisting of Three, Race Online and the Countryside Alliance, to identify areas in the UK that are poorly served by fixed broadband and to provide them with free mobile broadband access; notes that rural mobile broadband coverage can be improved further by a timely and competitive spectrum auction that provides equitable access to low frequency spectrum following liberalisation of the 900 MHz spectrum; is concerned by reports that the 4G spectrum auction is to be delayed; and calls on the Government to support Ofcom in ensuring that the auction takes place next year as planned.
Dear (insert name) MP
I am a supporter of the Countryside Alliance and would like you as my local MP to show your support for their latest initiative. Ensuring that rural communities can access the internet is crucial, allowing local families and businesses to access information and services. The Countryside Alliance, working with Race Online and Three, the mobile operator, has created a rural broadband working group which is exploring how to best get mobile broadband into rural areas.
I would like you to recognise the importance of broadband to rural communities and show support for their work by signing EDM 2211.
Many thanks
(your name) | 
