Maria Miller MP has called for all new homes to have high speed Broadband fitted as standard from day one after hearing the concerns of local residents moving into newly built estates around the town.
Speaking in the House of Commons she praised Hampshire County Council who have called for the availability of high speed Broadband to be part of planning consent for new homes given by local authorities in the County.
Maria urged the Government to encourage other local authorities to take the same approach.
Maria said, ‘Fast Internet connections are becoming a necessity, not a luxury, for home working, studying and staying connected family. At the moment there is no obligation on local authorities to inform superfast broadband providers when a new estates is being planned or built; and no requirement to have a working superfast broadband connection available for new residents when they move in. Local authorities need to consider making it a requirement that superfast broadband is available to purchase in all new developments. For many people fast broadband connections are seen alongside utilities like fixed telephone line connections, electricity and water – a basic essential. If superfast broadband is not available residents should be made aware before they purchase property. “