Digital Connectivity
At the beginning of 2021, NFWI-Wales joined up with the Wales YFC, NFU Cymru, the FUW and CLA Wales to look at digital connectivity in Wales.
Migration to digital phone lines
At the end of 2025, the analogue phone network will be switched off and replaced by a digital service (Voice over Internet Protocol). Read our short briefing paper here to find out what the migration to digital will mean for consumers and where to access further information.
Findings of digital connectivity survey
The findings of a survey into digital connectivity, launched in May 2021 by NFWI-Wales, the CLA, Farmers’ Union of Wales, NFU Cymru and Wales YFC, highlighted a gaping hole between urban and rural areas when it came to accessing and stability of broadband and mobile phone reception.
The survey showed that over 50% of respondents from a rural area felt that the internet they had access to was not fast and reliable with 66% stating that they or their household had been impacted by poor broadband. 57% of those from a rural area described the mobile signal in their house as ‘unreliable’ with 49% stating that their signal was ‘unreliable’ outdoors.
Read the press release here.
Ahead of the Royal Welsh Winter Fair 2021, an additional survey was launched in partnership with the FUW, NFU Cymru, Wales YFC and CLA Wales to explore the current state of digital connectivity in Wales. The survey sought to explore how people in Wales feel about the level of communication between themselves and their provider, cost-value of service and further look at how proposed changes to online livestock recording systems are going to affect the farming community.
Some of the key findings are:
- 57% of respondents rated their broadband as ‘poor’ or ‘moderate’
- 53% of respondents felt that they had been negatively impacted by poor broadband
- 54% of respondents stated that they did not know where to access information and support to improve their broadband connection.
Improving Digital connectivity webinar
On 28 April 2022, a webinar on ‘improving digital connectivity’ was hosted by NFWI-Wales, the Wales YFC, NFU Cymru, the FUW and CLA Wales. The aim of the event was to provide an overview of the information, support and funding available to help households and communities to improve their connectivity.
Chaired by Caryl Haf Jones, Chairman of the Wales YFC, speakers included:
- Adam Butcher from the Welsh Government’s Digital Infrastructure Team;
- Mike Lewis, Community Broadband Officer at Powys County Council; and
- David Phillips, Director of Michaelston-y-Fedw Community Broadband Project.
Action Pack
An Action Pack has been produced to support members to find out about the current situation around digital connectivity, sources of support available to improve connectivity and ideas for action. The Action Pack is available to access on My WI.
Share your stories with us
Have you been impacted by poor broadband or mobile signal? Have you benefited from initiatives supporting households and communities to improve their connectivity? Get in touch to tell us about your experiences, both positive and negative, to support us in highlighting the issue to decision-makers. Email: s.thomas@nfwi-wales.org.uk