Recent events, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, have highlighted how much of a divide there is across the United Kingdom in terms of broadband quality and internet connection. During the numerous lockdowns that were imposed on the country, many people found themselves working from their own homes. Although this may seem like a luxury for some people, for many living in rural areas, working and socializing from home was a struggle. This was mainly due to the quality and speed of their internet connection due to the great digital divide.
What causes the digital divide?
It is known that internet connectivity can be poor and slow in many rural areas of the UK, especially when compared to the quality of the internet in bigger towns or cities. The cause of a slow internet connection mostly correlates to location and infrastructure. Most people across the UK get the majority of their internet connection delivered to them through a copper telephone network. Therefore, the further an internet connection has to travel through a copper line network, the slower and weaker it will become. This means that the distance someone lives from the nearest telephone exchange or street cabinet will determine the strength and speed of their internet connection. In bigger towns and cities these distances between infrastructures tend to be much shorter, therefore the speed and strength of the internet connection tends to be much better. This is what is known as the digital divide.
How the digital divide effects internet users
Like previously mentioned, many people found it difficult to work and even socialize from their homes during the various lockdowns, mainly due to the digital divide. As a result of the digital divide, many people are left with slow and weak internet connections, which can make simple tasks such as sending an email or joining a video call extremely difficult. Although many people are not aware, this digital divide is also causing a digital skills gap. With the shift towards people wanting to work, learn and remain at home more often, a bigger digital divide is forming in digital skills, with people who hadn’t had much experience with using the internet before prior to the pandemic. These people have no had to learn how to use and how to cope with poor internet connections, which ultimately effected how they lived, worked and learned during all of the lockdowns.
How Omnitel can help
Not only does Omnitel offer a guaranteed internet uptime of 100%, but they can also provide their users with a lightning-fast broadband connection, meaning the UK’s digital divide can be closed and people can work, learn, and socialize at home much more easily. At Omnitel, we understand how important it is to stay connected and we believe that where you live should not affect your internet connection, especially during national lockdowns. To hear more about Omnitel’s strong and secure broadband service, make sure to get in touch with a member of our team today!
