Local residents and businesses have been left in communication ‘blackout’, after major delays in broadband improvements for many areas in Hampshire. Residents in so-called broadband ‘notspots’ have told Hampshire Lib Dems that during the late afternoon and evening there is often no connection at all, making life very difficult. Children can’t do their homework- (which is increasingly online), elderly people find that they can’t
shop online (which is so useful when they can no longer use the car), and small businesses and charities cannot function properly without broadband.

Belinda Mitchell, National Volunteer Co-ordinator for Help for Heroes, has been badly affected by the the broadband shortfall. She finds it incredibly
frustrating because where she lives, there is often no service at all after 4.30pm. ‘

One bright spot is in Smannell and Little London where local campaigners, working with borough and county council officers, have made major improvements to services. As a member of the Smannell action group I want to see Hampshire County Council follow the example in Smannell and get on with improving the County’s broadband coverage.

The County Council were handed £8.4 million by the government to install new and faster Internet connections to prevent harder-to reach communities being left behind in the digital age. Yet a year later there are areas still suffering slow speeds and even blackouts. Residents and businesses are suffering because of these delays. Residents expect action from the County Council, and an end to broadband black outs!