Superfast, reliable broadband and mobile signal is essential to life in the 21st century – especially if we are to unlock the ‘Rural Renaissance’ I have advocated for throughout my time as an MP and Minister (particularly through the Norfolk Way project I launched back in 2007 – see more here). 

If we are to ‘level up’ skills in our region, and allow more and more small businesses to set up from home or in little offices, lab spaces and workshops in our towns and villages (spreading jobs, opportunities and prosperity to our local communities), businesses and families must be able to rely on stable, superfast internet. 

That’s why one of my key missions since becoming the MP of Mid Norfolk has been the improvement of superfast broadband and mobile phone services in our area, and the county as a whole. Whether it be via the ‘Digital Divide’ campaign I launched alongside Anglia Farmers, the series of Broadband Summits that I held via the Norfolk Way, helping to ensure Norfolk was the county at the front of the queue for government funding through the BDUK scheme (we got £60m in the first rollout!), or my successful efforts calling for a government voucher scheme allowing communities not in the first rounds of superfast broadband rollouts to pool resources and pursue alternative methods to get the quality internet access they needed (through the likes of WiSpire), I have always been very vocal on behalf of Mid Norfolk. 

I was delighted therefore to meet the team at ‘Upp’ to kickstart my constituency day this past Friday.  

Upp are currently investing £1bn into the building of their own full-fibre broadband network across the East of England – a project that will enable 1 million homes and businesses to benefit from gigabit broadband speeds by 2025. They’ve already done considerable work in our local market towns and, in the next eighteen months, will be covering more and more of the villages and hamlets in between. Great news! 

Not only are they investing in our local broadband infrastructure, they are also supporting the communities housing their terminals and key infrastructure – providing assistance to local charities, councils and community groups, as well as sponsoring local sports teams and working closely with the local education sector.  

Considerable progress has been made on improving our local broadband network over the past fifteen years, but much more still needs to be done. EVERYONE, no matter how ‘rural’ they may be considered, should be able to access the superfast, reliable broadband they need. 

That’s why I welcome Upp’s investment in our region – something which will strengthen the offer here in the East (specifically in Norfolk and Lincolnshire). 

To learn more about Upp, please visit their website here 

To read more about my historic work on my campaign to improve broadband and mobile signal here in Mid Norfolk, please visit my campaign page here 

I look forward to continuing the conversation with Upp as their new full-fibre network reaches even more parts of Mid Norfolk.