Research shows rural communities are being left behind due to indigent digital infrastructure

In an era where businesses and households are dependent on the internet for everything from marketing to banking to shopping, the lack of adequate digital access can be a significant hurdle. And our latest research shows that many houses AND business in the UK is stuck in the digital age.

Our two studies focused on the rural Welsh county of Ceredigion, where a lack of reliable digital infrastructure has worsened the impact of the pandemic on families and businesses. Needy digital accessibility and connectivity have exacerbated stress levels for families already juggling homeschooling and remote working.

Similarly, businesses had to face issues related to Internet access, availability of effective digital infrastructure and digital competences when working and running a business from home.

Our research included two online surveys, one focused on households and the other on businesses and the self-employed, between April and June 2021. The survey questions were designed to address the challenges and opportunities caused by the pandemic.

Several vital themes emerged from the responses we received to both surveys, including insufficient digital accessibility and connectivity, lack of digital skills and training opportunities, and the cost of broadband and mobile access.

Home experiences

Our research found that 12% of homes did not have enough digital equipment to meet their needs during the pandemic, and 76% of these included children who were learning from home. Schools and some workplaces provided equipment in some cases, but 18% of households had to borrow equipment.

Despite the ability to borrow, many homes had to juggle equipment between adults working from home and children learning online. Many students used tiny mobile devices to access lessons, while others did not have access to equipment such as printers.

These problems were exacerbated in rural and remote areas, where ponderous broadband speeds and a lack of reliable mobile signal were cited as the biggest problems. Other issues included the cost of broadband and mobile access, lack of digital skills or training opportunities to improve digital skills, indigent customer service from broadband providers and connectivity issues.

Business and self-employment experience

The pandemic has brought similar challenges to businesses. The closure of non-essential businesses during the pandemic has led to growth in e-commerce. Businesses that were able to adopt online sales were able to continue operating despite lockdowns and restrictions.

But companies that were ponderous to adopt e-commerce or lacked the necessary infrastructure have struggled to adapt. In fact, our research found that 47% of businesses have struggled with digital access and connectivity during the pandemic. Some of the other challenges businesses have faced include:

• lack of reliable broadband or mobile internet access (37%)

• low broadband speed (29%)

• faint mobile signal (26%)

• lack of digital skills or access to training programs (16%)

• access cost (13%)

People working remotely in rural areas also faced challenges due to lack of digital infrastructure, indigent connectivity and lack of digital skills.

Bridging the gap

In the future, increased reliance on online work, education, and public services such as online healthcare and social support will further harm those without adequate access to the internet. The digital divide is widening between those with higher incomes and those with lower incomes.

For example, higher income households were more probable had access to technology to enable homeschooling and remote work during the pandemic, unlike those on lower incomes.

The digital divide is also often defined by location. Remote and sparsely populated areas often lack adequate broadband and mobile signal coverage. Bridging this digital divide is key to economic growth, social inclusion, and access to necessary services.

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Read more: How teachers supported children and parents during COVID-19 school closures

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To address the digital divide, UK and devolved governments need to invest in digital infrastructure in rural areas to ensure that there is at least a minimum of quality coverage everywhere. Local authorities could introduce programmes that give people access to affordable computing devices and internet access.

Expanding digital competences and strengthening rural businesses is also key. Improving digital skills training would better prepare future generations for the digital world.

In addition, rural businesses need tailored support, such as financing for digital infrastructure upgrades, training opportunities, and privacy and consumer protection advice, to enable them to grow digitally and sustainably.