'˜Firms must up their game over slow broadband'

ABSOLUTELY disgraceful.
Slow internet connections are causing frustration in Fareham boroughSlow internet connections are causing frustration in Fareham borough
Slow internet connections are causing frustration in Fareham borough

That’s the message from residents in Fareham borough who face a daily struggle with poor broadband connections.

Michelle Perry from Whiteley said: ‘It is quite unbelievable to me that an urban area such as Whiteley cannot support its residents with an acceptable broadband service, yet more houses are planned here.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

‘It is absolutely disgraceful that this issue with broadband in Whiteley has remained unresolved in so many years.’

Suella Fernandes, Fareham MPSuella Fernandes, Fareham MP
Suella Fernandes, Fareham MP

People in Warsash, Titchfield and Locks Heath are also struggling with intermittent, poor or simply no connection to a network. Michelle added: ‘A good internet signal is a necessity for modern living, not a luxury.’

Residents have met their MP Suella Fernandes to discuss the broadband connectivity issues.

Miss Fernandes said: ‘People, families and businesses in Whiteley, Titchfield and Locks Heath are struggling on a daily basis just to get online.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

‘This frustrates residents and stops local businesses from growing and capitalising on online markets.

Suella Fernandes, Fareham MPSuella Fernandes, Fareham MP
Suella Fernandes, Fareham MP

‘In the digital era this cannot go on.

‘Service providers must step up their game and get this problem sorted.’

Last year Miss Fernandes organised a meeting with representatives of BT, Virgin Media and Hampshire County Council to discuss ongoing problems with broadband.

At the meeting BT announced that they were planning to install five new cabinets in Whiteley in a bid to improve services in the area.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

BT is also planning on replacing faulty wiring and to repair the exchange as part of an engineering works programme with compensation also being provided by BT to affected customers.

Miss Fernandes added: ‘People really cannot go on living like this, so much of modern life revolves around good connectivity.’

But residents have reported there has been no improvement since the meeting and they still face total failures to connect to a network.

Slow speeds of 1MB or less, and general poor connectivity has led to phone line drop outs, no digital service for televisions, and intermittent or no connection to the internet.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Ms Fernandes confirmed she would be arranging another meeting with service providers so residents could speak to them directly about the problems.

She said: ‘I am organising another meeting for local people with providers in early November, and will put out more details soon.’