Devon 'needs better broadband'
Councillor Cottle-Hunkin, seven of Devon’s MPs, national park chairs and Chief Executives of Devon Communities Together and Citizens Advice have sent a letter to the Minister for Digital Economy
Last updated 5 hours ago
Some parts of Devon now have the UK's slowest internet speeds - as concerns grow that certain areas are now not profitable enough to justify investment.
Councils, MPs, National Park bosses and community groups have all written to the Government calling for help.
In response the Government says it is working 'to reach premises can access quality broadband connectivity and we are also monitoring and supporting market developments for alternative solutions, such as fixed wireless access or satellite broadband connections'.
Councillor Cheryl Cottle-Hunkin, Cabinet Member for Rural Affairs and Broadband, said: "I’ve been working closely and collaboratively with Devon’s Members of Parliament to drive a co-ordinated, cross-party effort to tackle the growing challenges of rural connectivity across our county. A joint letter has already been sent to the Digital Minister, and we are actively seeking an early meeting to make the case for a more consistent, long term and equitable approach to rural connectivity that ensures no community is left behind.
“Digital connectivity is no longer a luxury, it is a fundamental necessity. It underpins how our residents access healthcare, education, employment and vital public services. Yet too many of our rural communities remain significantly disadvantaged, with no clear or comprehensive plan from central government to address this growing divide.
“The scale of the challenge in Devon is stark and cannot be ignored. Recent Ofcom data shows that Torridge has the highest levels of sub 2 megabit coverage anywhere in the country, worse than even the Highlands and Shetland, while West Devon has the highest proportion of sub 10 megabit speeds in the United Kingdom. These are not just abstract figures. They represent real people, real businesses, and real communities being held back. In many of these areas, residents already face limited public transport and reduced access to physical services. They are now experiencing a double disadvantage, with barriers to both physical and digital access.
“This reality has also been recognised nationally. During our recent engagement with Sir Chris Whitty, it was clearly highlighted how the challenges faced by rural communities are being intensified as more services, including healthcare, move online. Without reliable broadband, digital inclusion becomes impossible, and inequality deepens.”
Councillors also welcomed the establishment of a Task and Finish group by the Committee to monitor the delivery of the national broadband voucher scheme and consider any opportunities to improve connectivity in Devon.
What has the Government said?
A Department for Energy, Science, Innovation and Technology spokesperson said: “Most homes in Devon can already get superfast broadband, but we know some rural communities still struggle to get online. Through Project Gigabit, the government is rolling out fast, reliable broadband to the hardest‑to‑reach areas. More than 27,000 homes and businesses in Devon have already benefited, with a further 53,000 set to be upgraded - making sure communities aren’t left behind.”
The spokesperson added that through its 'Project Gigabit' the government is building fast and reliable broadband to hard-to-reach properties across Devon as part of a £125 million investment to transform the county's connectivity.
Latest figures show that as of January 2026, over 78% of premises in Devon can already access gigabit capable broadband according to independent figures from OFCOM Connected Nations. In addition to this, 94% of premises have access to a superfast connection - enough to meet most people's everyday today needs such as streaming and video calls.