Unavoidably, many farmers tend to work in some of the UK’s most remote, rural areas so it’s not all that surprising to hear that they often suffer from slow broadband and weak mobile signals. Unfortunately for them, it’s often these remote and rural locations that are at the end of the queue when it comes to an improved service because expensive upgrades over wide areas for comparatively few users is generally considered to be too much of an economic challenge.

The National Farmers Union has published the results of its most recent telephone and online survey of members who took part, and they highlight some interesting statistics:

Broadband

• 8% access the internet via satellite.
• 16% get superfast speeds of 24Mbps+ (which means that 84% don’t).
• 37% identify slow speeds as a barrier to future use of digital technology.
• 42% have a download speed of 2Mbps or less.
• 45% believe their current speed is not fast enough for their business needs.
• 73% access the internet via copper wire.
• 89% agree broadband is an essential tool for their business.
• 96% can get online via mobile or computing devices.

Mobile

• 17% have a reliable outdoor signal in all locations (which means that 83% don’t).
• 19% have a reliable indoor signal in all locations (which means that 21% don’t).
• 38% thought the signal they receive is sufficient for their business (which means that 62% don’t).
• 83% own a 4G Smartphone and have access to it.
• 93% agree a reliable mobile signal is important for their business.
• 97% of farmers own a mobile phone.

Currently, almost 96% of premises can access a superfast broadband connection, however the outdoor geographic coverage of 4G services over the UK is only 66% according to Ofcom’s recent Connected Nations report.
So yes, while it’s fair to say that coverage of both broadband and mobile services has improved a lot over the past few years, there are plenty of people who are still waiting.

As Britain’s £113 billion food and farming sector employs 3.9 million people, it’s certainly an area that could benefit from the digital upgrades which become available when people can access sufficient connectivity.

NFU Vice President Stuart Roberts said, “It’s vital that government ensures rural businesses have access to the same reliable broadband and mobile connectivity as urban businesses so they can remain productive, competitive and innovative.
The benefits that farmers receive from applying full connectivity are many; from optimising the use of inputs to decreasing farm costs and improving productivity as a result.

With the industry facing so much uncertainty, it is clear that farmers need as many tools as possible to maintain business resilience and having access to digital connectivity is paramount if they are to compete with our international neighbours in the global market.

After all, it can be much easier for companies and organisations located in towns and cities to relocate to access different technologies. But this simply isn’t possible for a farm or rural business – connectivity needs to be brought to them.
Decent telecommunication and 4G coverage is also essential for health and safety, with farmers often working long hours alone in isolated areas. Too often we see the consequences of farming’s poor safety record. It should be a given that if an accident happens, farmers have access to reliable mobile coverage in all farm locations to call for help.”

Nevertheless, faster connectivity services and expanded outdoor data coverage are on the increase so, hopefully, more and more farmers will be able to upgrade once they become aware of the new services available. From an increase in the number of mobile mast stations in rural areas, to the government’s pledge to ensure nationwide, gigabit capable, FTTP broadband ISP networks by 2033, and a £200m commitment targeted at to deliver fibre optic links in rural areas, things are slowly moving in the right direction.