The South West has traditionally lagged behind in digital connectivity, restricting opportunity and investment. I have also spoken many times before about the need to address the imbalance between primary and secondary homeownership here in South Devon, and believe that improving our digital connectivity will help to attract those who wish to live and work in the area full time.
I am therefore pleased that great progress has been made in recent years to expand mobile phone signal and high speed broadband services across the region. Over a billion pounds has been put forward from both the public and private sectors to improve mobile phone coverage.
Over the past four and a half years, I have worked with South West Colleagues, Connecting Devon and Somerset, and mobile and broadband providers to ensure our digital infrastructure is brought up to scratch.